So The Battle Has Began! Pastor Chris Oyakhilome Assembles Legal Team for Divorce Fight & Addresses Divorce Allegations

Pastor Chris Oyakhilome is finally assembling a team of lawyers for the divorce case instituted by his wife, according to a new report I got from TheCable.ng, he strongly denies charges of adultery and has now resolved to engage the services of reputable family lawyers to launch his defence.

TheCable was unable to ascertain the names of his would-be legal representatives, although they are expected to come from the UK since the wife also engaged the services of a British law firm, Attwaters Jameson Hill Solicitors. It is yet unclear the position to be taken by Oyakhilome on the case ─ either to stall the divorce or to stop the wife from getting hefty alimony.

“The pastor is sending mixed messages all the time. We honestly...
don’t know his mind yet,” a pastor with the church told TheCable in Lagos, citing instances of Oyakhilome getting angry over his wife’s action and other instances when he appeared conciliatory, seeking that she should retrace her steps and return to her matrimonial home.

Oyakhilome had got wind of his wife’s divorce moves as far back as February this year and tried to stall, but she still went ahead to file the case in April. For two months, he avoided being served the court papers but was eventually tricked into accepting service by the wife’s lawyers who went to visit him at his London hotel incognito.

Although the marriage was contracted in Nigeria, Anita might have chosen the UK for the divorce because that is where she resides and Western courts are known for their strong stand on family issues. If the case ends in her favour, she could get alimony of up to 50% of Oyakhilome’s assets, which include hotels and real estate in many countries.

Under the divorce process, he is expected to file his response to the wife’s allegations and state grounds under which he thinks the marriage should not be dissolved. He could also try to prove to the court that the wife does not deserve significant alimony because of the circumstances of the case.
At the time of writing, he was yet to file his defence, according to sources in the know.

Anita’s lawyers may now be forced to ask for the next step ─ which is the actual dissolution of the union ─ if Oyakhilome’s lawyers keep them waiting.

After reports of the divorce suit were published, an angry Oyakhilome reportedly spoke with members at the London headquarters via a conference call asking those who wanted to leave the church to feel free to do so.

The troubled marriage appeared to have finally broken down last year when Anita stopped ministering at the London headquarters, which she presides over along with other churches in Europe. She also stopped contributing to Rhapsody of Realities, the highly successful Christian daily devotional which is sold around the world and is a major source of income for the couple.

The devotional, which is written in 550 languages and is currently distributed in 242 countries, is on course to reaching 300,000 cities across the world with 100million in 2014, according to the official website.

Much has been read into the removal of Anita’s name from the devotional after the news of the divorce proceedings went public. A member of the church in the UK told TheCable that Anita was complaining that retaining her picture and profile in the booklet was creating the wrong impression that she was still contributing to it.

Unconfirmed reports said she ordered the latest edition to be confiscated in London because it was still bearing her image and she had not been paid any royalties since last year.

Christ Embassy is one of the biggest denominations in Nigeria, with branches all over the world.
The marriage is blessed with two daughters.

COUNTDOWN

Pastor Christian Oyakhilome has finally addressed the allegations leveled against him after more than a week of maintaining silence on the divorce suit filed against him by his wife,

Speaking on Sunday evening during the monthly global communion service of the church, he said the allegations were “crazy” and “stupid”. Oyakhilome acknowledged that divorce is unbiblical but suggested he could consider the option should his wife insist on it. He also criticized the media for prying into his private life and urged members of his church to pray for his estranged wife.

    I understand that some media houses particularly in Nigeria and maybe in South Africa (I don't know) but there are some of them that have been writing some real stupid things...real stupid things, and errrrhh...frivolous charges...that's crazy.

    A man of God...you have to understand something about a Man of God. A man of God is
    not just someone who worships God or who preaches God. A man of God is directed by God, set on course by God. If you study the scriptures you will not find one Man of God going against God, sinning against God, the only thing you can find is a Man of God, maybe...in two different things

        1. Moses for example, when he struck the rock twice, provoked by the anger of the people, not because he wanted to do something against the Lord. No Man of God does something against the Lord. Are you hearing me? No!...a Man of God is set on course, there is a type of life that he's been given, alright?

        2. Then you have a young man, a young prophet, he wasn't named, he was deceived by another Man of God, and so he went in the direction God says don't go.

    That's only the kind of thing you'd find about a Man of God when he misses the message of God or he acts beyond what God said. But a Man of God setting himself in defiance to the word of God and living like they (media houses) are writing those stupid things that I did this, that I did that...You don't know what a Man of God is.. I don't go in that direction. That's crazy.


    I wasn't accused of those things you (media houses) said, nor did I commit those stupid thing that you said...and I don't need to go to that level and such discussions. Jesus Christ was accused by many, with lots of frivolous charges. There would ALWAYS be those who'd like for it to be true, but you know, in spite of the accusations against Jesus, it didn't change who he was!

    There are preachers and there are Men of God. I'm not a preacher, I'm a Man of God...understand the difference. And I go in the way I'm asked to go, it may cause some troubles with individuals, but that's not because I've done something wrong.

    And when it comes to Rev. Anita, what I'd say to you is pray for her, don't act like 'why why why is she....' . Married to a Man of God does not automatically make you Woman of God! You can make mistakes, but you know, people expect the wife of a Minister to definitely be at the level of the Minister, and so they may be looked upon and the expectations maybe like that, but it's a positional thing! alright! 

    If a Man of God is married, it does not automatically mean the wife of the Man of God is therefore a Woman of God! That's not how it is in the Bible. That's why you don't really find wives of Men of God listed in the bible. How many of them? Who was Peter's wife? Did you ever know her name? You'd never find out! Who was John's wife? Did you ever read the name? What about all the other apostles? How many are registered in the bible? You never find their names, why? Ask God when you find HIM! **Smiles

    So, they are little things, don't try to make something big out of them, and emmm.. we're journeying, doing the things that God's called us to do...Christians should not have a divorce, it shouldn't be, but you see, that doesn't mean a Christian may not take the step. They may do it, but that doesn't make it right. And we shouldn't take one another to court, but when it happens, not because we wanna go there, someone is taking us there.

    That's a problem, be wise, stay focused in the Word of God, and don't let those who want to feast on things like this including Christians. You know there are Christians who like things like this, they wanna make something big about it. You should only say those things that are from God, and become honorable in your speech, Alright! ...and judge nothing before the time...be wise, Glory to God. 

    So we are going greater and greater and greater by the power of the living Christ. Hallelujah! So, we are not walking in sin and living in sin and hoping we can mix sin and righteousness together, NO!, we are the manifestations of His righteousness, we walk in that light only, and that's the way it's gonna be! Glory to God