SUBJECT:
Investigation into the Alleged Membership of Sup Evang Damilare of C.C.C Ogomide, Gbarin, Ile-Ife, in the Ogboni Fraternity, while Serving as a Shepherd in the Celestial Church of Christ
Background:
Following the burial ceremony of a prominent figure in Ile-Ife in late April 2026, information emerged alleging that Sup Evang. Damilare of C.C.C Ogomide, Gbarin, Ile-Ife, was seen participating in the burial rites while dressed in the traditional regalia of the Ogboni Fraternity.
Given the seriousness of the allegation and its potential implications on the doctrines, integrity, and reputation of the Celestial Church of Christ (C.C.C), the Osun State Task Force Corps commenced a discreet investigation to establish the facts while preventing unnecessary public controversy.
Preliminary Investigation:
The Worldwide Chairman of the Task Force Corps, through the Ife Regional Coordinator, invited the accused to report at his office in Osogbo for an investigative meeting. However, the accused failed to honour the invitation.
Consequently, the Osun State Task Force Corps was directed to continue the investigation and submit its findings.
Interview with the Accused:
During the course of the investigation, the undersigned held a telephone conversation with Sup Evang Damilare. The contents recorded herein faithfully reflect the discussion without alteration.
During the conversation, the accused admitted that he is a member of the Ogboni Fraternity. According to him, he became a member before joining the Celestial Church of Christ. He further explained that he joined the fraternity while serving as a Forest Guard and stated that his membership was inherited from his father.
Throughout the discussion, he maintained that he had committed no offence against the Church and questioned why the matter was being pursued. He further expressed the view that there is no conflict between membership in the Celestial Church of Christ and membership in the Ogboni Fraternity.
When asked why he failed to honour the invitation issued by the Worldwide Chairman of the Task Force Corps, he stated that certain individuals had advised him not to attend. He further alleged that the matter had already been reported to the Church Administrative Office and that he had been assured that no disciplinary action would be taken against him because the matter would eventually be set aside.
He also claimed that if the Regional Evangelist continued to pursue the matter, the Regional Evangelist could be transferred from the region.
The accused further suggested that numerous members of the Ogboni Fraternity occupy leadership positions within the Church, implying that his own membership was not unusual.
He was again encouraged to honour the invitation for investigation. Initially, he stated that he would consult with his superiors before responding.
Subsequently, he informed the investigator that he had been advised not to honour the invitation.
Subsequent Developments:
While the investigation was ongoing, the matter resurfaced publicly after the Olorunsogo Regional Shepherd Council forwarded a letter to the Pastor’s Office through the Worldwide Chairman of the Taskforce Corps, announcing the excommunication of Sup Evang Damilare from the region and requesting that further disciplinary action be taken against him.
Information gathered during the investigation revealed that the accused had previously been invited to several meetings by the Regional Shepherd Council but consistently failed to attend.
Nevertheless, reports of those meetings allegedly reached him shortly after they concluded, suggesting that confidential deliberations may have been disclosed by an unidentified individual.
Following these developments, reports were received alleging that the accused threatened several parish owners within the region with arrest, legal action, and other forms of intimidation, thereby creating fear and unrest among members.
Directive for Further Investigation:
Following the circulation of the regional letter, the Worldwide Chairman of the Taskforce Corps, on 20 June 2026, directed the Osun State Taskforce Corps to conclude its investigation within one week and submit a comprehensive report.
Physical Inspection:
After several planning meetings, the investigation team visited the premises of CCC Ogomide, Gbarin, Ile-Ife on 26 June 2026.
The Osun State Task Force Coordinator and the Osogbo Regional Task Force Coordinator, having obtained approval from the Worldwide Chairman, proceeded to Ile-Ife with logistical and financial support from other regions.
Upon arrival, the team first reported to the Olorunsogo Regional Headquarters before proceeding to the parish.
After locating the premises, photographs and video evidence were obtained. The team observed that there were no visible signs of recent church activities at the location.
Interviews conducted with neighbouring residents indicated that the premises had remained inactive for approximately one month and that the accused had not been seen in the area since the matter became public.
Following the inspection, the team returned to the Regional Headquarters to brief the regional leadership before departing for Osogbo.
Findings:
- The accused admitted to being a member of the Ogboni Fraternity.
- He acknowledged that his membership predated his admission into the Celestial Church of Christ.
- He declined repeated invitations to appear before the Worldwide Chairman of the Taskforce Corps for investigation.
- Physical inspection confirmed that the parish had remained inactive for several weeks.
- Information obtained from neighbouring residents corroborated the prolonged absence of the accused from the parish.
- Information gathered during the investigation suggests that confidential deliberations of regional meetings were communicated to the accused by an unidentified individual.
Observations:
- The Olorunsogo Regional Shepherd Council could have exercised greater restraint by allowing the investigative process to be concluded before publicly announcing the excommunication of the accused.
Since the matter had already been referred to the Pastor’s Office and copied to the Worldwide Chairman of the Taskforce Corps, it would have been more appropriate to await the completion of the investigation and the submission of the report before taking further public action.
- The issuance of a public letter of excommunication before the conclusion of the Church’s disciplinary process was premature. As the investigation was still ongoing and the correspondence was principally addressed to the Pastor’s Office and the Worldwide Chairman of the Taskforce Corps, wider public circulation of the letter was unnecessary and may have prejudiced the disciplinary process.
Recommendations:
- The Regional Shepherd should be invited to appear before the Pastor’s Office or the Worldwide Chairman of the Taskforce Corps to provide a comprehensive explanation of the actions taken by the Regional Shepherd Council prior to the conclusion of the official investigation.
- Regional authorities should ensure that future matters of this nature are referred to the appropriate church authorities and that no public disciplinary measures are announced until the prescribed investigative and disciplinary procedures have been concluded.
- In view of the accused’s admission regarding his continued membership in the Ogboni Fraternity and his apparent lack of understanding of the doctrines and tenets of the Celestial Church of Christ, it is recommended that, should genuine repentance be established, he undergo comprehensive biblical instruction, formally renounce every conflicting affiliation, and receive structured spiritual discipleship under competent pastoral supervision before any future consideration for ministry. Attendance at the Church Seminary is also recommended as part of any restoration process, subject to the approval of the appropriate church authorities.
Conclusion:
This investigative report has been submitted to the Worldwide Chairman of the CCC Taskforce Corps (AMSE Firmin Akinbode Adjovi) for further consideration and any additional action deemed necessary.
The outcome of the investigation and the final decision of the appropriate church authorities will be communicated in due course.
Submitted respectfully for the consideration of the Worldwide Chairman, Taskforce Corps.
