Pastor Emmanuel Babalola Akintunde, founder of Grace of Christ Evangelical Church, Iyana-Church, Ibadan, in this interview with IDOWU ADELUSI, spoke about his former life as a member of the occult world before his conversion to Christianity. Excerpts:

THOSE who knew  about your past had said that you wielded much mystical powers.Is it true?
I was a member of Ogboni Society from the cradle, deeply involved in the occult world and with powers I acquired from Satan. I became a source of fright to many people around me. In 1993, when I was dedicating my house at Agodi, Iyana-Church, Ibadan for use, I brought in 20 snakes  to display so that my neighbours could know that a great man had arrived to live with them. My father was Apena Ogboni in Ile Ife. My mother was Iya Idi Agba, while my grandma was Iya Abiye  in the Ogboni society. Being the first son of my parents, I was initiated into the group and later grew up to become Oluwo Ogboni due to my dedication to the society in Ibadan. I was given a powerful staff to perform any wonder, to cure any ailment or cause any court case to be resolved in favour of my  clients. The staff was covered with the skin of a tiger. I had a strong association with witches, I belonged to a guild of witches. I had to kill an animal as sacrifice to the spirits each day.

The witches and wizards are human beings. Their meetings are like when Christians gather to worship. They would sing and praise their leaders. Each member would present requests or report if anybody had molested them.

What actually drove you into acquiring this power?
I  started my  life as  an actor  and  in those days  if you wanted  fame, you would acquire spiritual power and be versed in incantations. In 1976, I founded Loly Funky Theatre Group, and as a famous actor, I had participated in many Yoruba films like  Arelu, Efunsetan, among others.  I produced two films: Iyawo Chief and Se o damo. I also got some  powers from Professor Peller because I was very close to him.  Anytime he came to Ilesha, he would stay in my house.

With my spiritual power, I became connected to many people in the society. I was equally getting contracts from the government. I was extremely rich. I had six wives, bought four cars and three buses.

If I attended any social party with friends and was in need of money to spray, I would cut paper into pieces and turn them into naira notes.  Even at beer parlours, I did the same to pay for drinks.

Pastor Emmanuel Babalola Akintunde, founder of Grace of Christ Evangelical Church, Iyana-Church, Ibadan, in this interview with IDOWU ADELUSI, spoke about his former life as a member of the occult world before his conversion to Christianity. Excerpts:

How did you get converted to Christianity?
Even as Oluwo Ogboni and with my enormous spiritual power, I still attended  church events. There was a time I  saw in a dream a golden fish in the sky and very cold water from its mouth dropping on my head. My pastor told me that it was anointing by God.

Another time I saw myself in a dream praying for sick people by the roadside. When I told my pastor, he said that God was preparing me for His work. I told him that it was not possible for a man like me to be called by God for His work. Later, money stopped coming, I had to sell all my vehicles. The last message I received from God was a warning that I was being offered the last chance to repent of my sins. At that point, that was in 1997, I decided to accept Christ into my life. I assembled all my charms, including my staff, and burnt them. Five of  my wives left me on their own volition. I am left with just a wife.All that I had as Oluwo Ogboni perished immediately  I decided to accept Jesus Christ into my life. I became very poor and faced serious torments from the Ogboni society  which  was not pleased with  my  leaving  them, but old things had passed away, I am now a new creature. I submitted myself for baptism in 1998.

After I had been ordained a pastor, a minor disagreement ensued between me and one of my neighbours. He slapped me and I wept because I felt bad and humiliated. I couldn’t retaliate because my hands had been handcuffed by Christ. A few days later, the man came to my house and told me that he slapped me because he wanted to know if truly I am a pastor. When I was still Oluwo Ogboni, I would have killed him that day. With my enormous power and wealth as Oluwo Ogboni, I did not have peace of mind. I was alert always because rival groups were sending emissaries to test my might with the intention to kill me. Everyday, I killed animals to appease the spirits. Can you imagine how much I spent on these things?

But, since I repented of my former life and accepted Christ into my life, I have had peace of mind.