One Madam Joy Owoyele was reported dead in Isheri Olofin area of Lagos state after fasting for 10 days
Madam Joy was on a 14-day fasting which was held at Christ Apostolic Church Ori-Oke Gbogunmi, aka Ajanpelenbe Mountain, located on Pipeline Road, Isheri Olofi but collapsed on the 10th day of the fasting
It was gathered that deceased had sought spiritual help regarding her matrimonial challenges.
The resident pastor, Alfred Sunday, told Punch that after Owoyele lost consciousness during the spiritual exercise, she was rushed to the Igando General Hospital for treatment, adding that she died in the process.
Sunday said,
“She came for prayers and nothing more. Before the day of the incident, we held a vigil and she was fine. Her fasting was supposed to be for 14 days, but the incident happened on the 10th day. God is my witness, there is nothing hidden here.
“Her daughter, Oluwatise, was also with her in the church during the spiritual exercise and they always slept together. The incident happened around 7am. I was praying on the altar when one of the church members informed me that she had passed out.
“When I moved closer to assess her, I observed that she could not stand up and when I called her name, she answered faintly. We had to rush her to the Igando General Hospital for treatment, but she died.”
The pastor explained that he went to the Idimu Police Station to report the incident, adding that during investigation, the police detained him and the General Overseer of the church.
He stated,
“When I reported the incident, the police took my statement and that of the victim’s daughter. But the General Overseer and I were detained for three days and the police also visited the church to conduct an investigation.
“But the family insisted on not pressing any charge and after the police investigation, we were released. I met with the woman’s family immediately after the incident and they accepted what happened as fate.
“During the spiritual exercise, she was fasting and praying, and usually broke her fast with honey and water. But on the 10th day, she became very weak and we had to rush her to hospital to save her, but she died.
“After the incident, we insist that anyone embarking on fasting and prayer in the church must break with pap instead of honey and water that we usually use. Anyone who refuses won’t be allowed to embark on the spiritual exercise in the church.”
It was Further revealed that the family was making plans to convey the deceased from the Yaba General Hospital mortuary to her hometown in Ekiti State for the burial rites.
A source, however said Owoyele had been fasting and praying on her own over her failed marriage before she sought spiritual help in the church.