Pastor Ashimolowo explains $5million Ponzi investment fraud, says he’s not involved

- Pastor Ashimolowo has denied the news circulating around that he invested in a Ponzi scheme

- The pastor said he was not in anyway involved in the decision to invest the church’s money in any capacity since he is not a trustee

- He also added that the investment referred to were made by former trustees on behalf of the Charity over seven years again

Pastor Ashimolowo explains $5million Ponzi investment fraud, says he’s not involved

Popular pastor and founder of the Kingsway International Christian Centre (KICC) Mathew Ashimolowo has debunked rumours circulating in the media that he lost $5million to a Ponzi scheme in the United Kingdom.

According to the popular pastor, he did not make any decision to invest the church money in any capacity because he is not a member of the trustee.

Ashimolowo in a press release signed by DIPO OLUYOMI and JAMES McGLASHAN did not deny that such investment took place; he however claimed that the decision to invest the church’s money was not his.

Recall that Pastor Ashimolowo's KICC was recently alleged to have invested $4.8million in a ponzi scheme owned by a former football Richard Rufus, who has now been declared bankrupt and also convicted of defrauding the church and others

“The attention of Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo and KICC has been drawn to publication in the media with the headline: “Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo loses $5million to Ponzi Scheme.”

“We wish to state that the headline was unfortunate and misleading and has caused damage to the reputation of Pastor Ashimolowo. The sensational headline suggests that Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo lost $5million when INFACT HE DID NOT and did not make the decision to invest.

“Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo is the Senior Pastor of KICC and not her trustee and has never been a trustee of KICC.

“As you are aware from the Charities Commission’s report, the decision to invest was solely that of the U.K trustees without any involvement of Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo. Importantly as the report states, it is the trustees who have the responsibility for investing Charity Funds and NOT PASTOR MATTHEW ASHIMOLOWO.

“The investment referred to were made by former trustees on behalf of the Charity over SEVEN AND HALF YEARS AGO. They believed they were acting in the best interest of the Charity and they did not and have not benefited personally.

“Their actions were totally independent and were not influenced in any way by Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo.

“Now that we have appraised the publisher(s) and author(s) of the report of these facts, we strongly encourage you to set the record straight by publishing this rejoinder immediately.

“KICC is a Charity whose main aim is to advance the Christian religion in the U.K. and around the world as well as provide local communities with a great deal of counseling and support, including educational, bereavement and prayer support.

“Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo preaches around the world on behalf of KICC, spreading the word, touching lives both home and abroad, raising Champions and the profile of KICC.”

Thank you.

Signed:

DIPO OLUYOMI –

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, JAMES McGLASHAN –

CHIEF OPERATING OFFFICER, For KICC.

George Michael 'killed himself on Christmas Day after numerous suicide attempts', boyfriend's Twitter account claims

A series of tweets posted on Fadi Fawaz's Twitter account this morning claimed "the only thing George wanted is to die"

George Michael killed himself on Christmas Day after numerous suicide attempts, tweets from his boyfriend's Twitter account have claimed.

A series of tweets appearing on Fadi Fawaz's account this morning claimed the singer killed himself after a number of attempts at his life.

The tweets said: "Not sure who that nasty close friend of George (sic) but i was in a relationship with George Michael till i found him dead in bed.

"The only thing George wanted is to die. He tried numbers of times to kill himself many times and finally he managed.

"We loved each other very much and were together almost 24 hours a day."

Fadi Fawaz is pictured with George Michael(Photo: Twitter/@fadifawaz)

(Photo: Twitter/@Fadifawaz)

The tweets were soon deleted and the account closed. No official confirmation has yet been given and the Mirror has contacted the singer's representatives for comment.

It is not known if Fawaz's Twitter account had been hacked. He used the same account last week to reveal that he found George dead in bed.

He also posted a tribute to the singer.

A tweet posted on Fawaz's account last night said: "I hate you 2016 from the bottom of my heart".

This tweet appeared on Fawaz's account last night (Photo: Twitter/@Fadifawaz)

Another tweet said: "I would like to get the record straight. I’m 40-year-old and I’m fine art photographer."

On Boxing Day, a tweet on the account read: "Its a Xmas I will never forget finding your partner dead peacefully in bed first thing in the morning..I will never stop missing you."

It was reported today that George was in ­despair when he died because the voice that made him a ­superstar had been ruined.

The pop legend lost 20 per cent of his lung capacity after contracting pneumonia in 2011 and was devastated to find it had reduced his ability to sing.

The tweets which appeared on Fawaz's account claimed George wanted to die (Photo: Splash News)

He was torn apart by the setback to his plans for a comeback in 2017.

News of his state of mind emerged after an inconclusive post mortem raised the possibility that he did not die of natural causes as initially thought.

Floral tributes left after George's death on Christmas Day (Photo: Rex)

A source close to George, who died aged 53 on Christmas Day, said: “Losing voice capacity for a man like him was like losing his inner self or his soul.

“Things got so dark and difficult after it hit him. It tipped him over a psychological edge. George would never be the same man again – and more importantly, never be the same singer.

“He needed drugs and alcohol and anything he could get hold of to cope with such a severe loss.”

Friends revealed that the singer who shot to fame with Wham! suffered lasting effects from the life-threatening pneumonia, which left him unconscious for 15 days. Doctors had to perform a tracheotomy to keep his airways open

He recovered but found it difficult to walk uphill, swim and do the thing he loved most – sing.

It is understood he was left with only three quarters of his lungs functioning and could only limp through performances with the help of steroids and other medication. He could barely finish a concert, never mind a whole tour.

“It was the third big loss in his life,” said the insider. “He lost his partner Anselmo Feleppa to HIV, his mother Lesley and then the voice he once had.

“To lose your three most cherished things by your early 50s is very hard and was a big load to carry.

“George was an old soul who died young because he found it very hard to manage the albatrosses in his life.”

George Michael was expected to release new music next year (Photo: Photoshot)

But he was determined to get back to making music and was set to release a new album next year, produced by Naughty Boy.

UK songwriter, musician and producer Naughty Boy, 31, said last month: “I can’t wait. I don’t know what to ­expect. He’s mysterious.”

The source confirmed: “Yes, he was going to do another album. He was planning to regain some breath control by regular swimming with a therapist and walking, to strengthen his lungs and get the weight down.

“But George knew that in reality his lungs would never regain their same capacity. Sooner or later he would be the star who used to sing for hours and do tours. Could he ever do this again? Could he be like Madonna, or Elton, or Mick Jagger – all older than him but but still bouncing around? That’s the kind of thing he was filled up with. He was a haunted man.”

George left three full ­albums of unreleased music in his private collection. Now they may never see the light of day.

The perfectionist performer had shelved the nearly-finished albums and those in charge of his estate will not go against his wishes.

George was found dead in bed at his home in Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, by his partner Fadi Fawaz, 40. Further tests are planned to determine how he died. Police said the star’s death was still being treated as unexplained but not suspicious.

Tiwa Savage and Teebillzz a

It is so obvious, this celebrity couple; Tiwa Savage and Teebillzz are finally back together! 

The two love birds were pictured together for the first time since after social media saga
They were pictured at Stephanie Coker's wedding yesterday.

So happy for them!

Why I like wearing short dresses — Opeyemi Aiyeola

Opeyemi Aiyeola

Even though I was born in Lagos, I am from Sagamu, Ogun State. I am the second of my mother’s three children. I was singlehandedly raised by my mum because she and my father separated.

Education

I attended Our Lady of Apostles Private School, Yaba, for my elementary education and Remo Secondary School, for my post-elementary education. I earned an Ordinary National Diploma in Accountancy from Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta. I bagged a degree in the same discipline from the Lagos State University, Ojo. My first acting gig was Papa Ajasco and Company. After acting for television for two years, I began to feature in movies.

The first movie I took part in was Rotimi Makinde’s Aso Iyi. By the time I finished that production, I had another offer to act in Bayowa Films’ Ige Adubi. I was one of those few lucky ones who kept getting roles back-to-back. I also featured in the movie Nkan Ini, by Yetunde Wunmi. I have produced some movies including Ogede Didun, Tenteni, and Oluwatimilehin, to name a few.Love and marriage are the reasons I relocated to the United Kingdom. 

However, I love living in   Nigeria and if it were possible, I would want to live in Nigeria full-time again. In the United Kingdom, the winter season and the ‘do it yourself’ lifestyle is definitely a struggle, but the economic, social, health, emergency response and recovery agencies as well as equal rights, high standard of education and opportunities that abound are incomparable to what is obtainable in Nigeria. 

Challenges

I always leave my kids and travel to Nigeria for work, so it’s quite tedious and challenging for me. Whenever I am away from the United Kingdom, my husband cares for our children in an excellent manner.

Celebrity marriages

It takes a lot to sustain a marriage and the truth is that when a break-up happens, it is not always the fault of the celebrity involved. Sometimes, the break-up might be due to the action or inaction of the celebrity’s spouse. Other factors like interference from in-laws, the media, family and friends, may also lead to conflict.

Roles

As a mother, wife and Yoruba lady, I don’t jump at every role that I am offered; I am quite picky. When you are given a script, it is your choice as an actor to be able to read through, analyse it and say, “I’m sorry, I cannot play this role.’’ Because I have a family that I do not want to let down, I would never play a role that my husband, children  and other members of my family won’t be proud of.

Motherhood

I have been able to create a work-life balance with the support of my family. I couldn’t have been able to do it without the support of God, my husband and children. They understand that I have to work. Motherhood is not easy for working mothers but I thank God that I have been able to create a balance especially now that I live in the United Kingdom. In a year, I am usually away for about six or seven months working.

Fashion

I am not obsessively concerned with fashion but I like to look good. I wear what I like and the good thing about living abroad is that when one goes to a shop, you can try on clothes. I like wearing short dresses and they are my fashion fetish.

Mentors

I have a different perception when it comes to the issue of role models and mentors. You must realise that they are human and can make mistakes too.  There was someone I looked up to until the day he did something that put me off completely. It was too much for me to bear. Before now, I used to have mentors ,but right now, I don’t want to look up to anybody. I might see someone and appreciate what he or she does. Since I can be very emotional, I don’t get too attached to people or what they do. They might mentor you in a good way, but that should also come with some form of caution. The only mentor that I have right now is God.

Current productions

I have a group called Opeyemi Aiyeola Rehearsal Group, which nurtures talents. I have a script for my next movie but plans for the production are still in the incubation stage. When I finally shoot the movie, it will be a film fit for the cinemas.