Search
Share & Follow Religion News Blog
Remember These Stories?
Gilbert Deya: I am in the clear on tots trade
A millionaire preacher accused of child smuggling yesterday insisted he had been cleared.
Self-styled bishop Gilbert Deya said investigators at Scotland Yard failed to find evidence against him. And he insisted he had been cleared of financial wrongdoing by the Charity Commission after a two-year probe.
Deya, 54, sparked an international investigation two years ago when he claimed his prayers gave infertile women “miracle babies” without having sex.
Yesterday, he said: “They found the truth – that I aminnocent.
“They found no evidence of child trafficking to prosecute me and the Charity Commission did not find even one penny missing.”
Charity chiefs froze the funds of Gilbert Deya Ministries in 2004 after the Kenyan was accused of running a baby snatching ring.
Police in his homeland believe he stole or bought at least 19 children from poor women there.
They claim some were sold to British couples for £5000 each.
Deya’s church website asked followers to donate to miracle babies, stating they were also available for adoption.
Babies in Britain and Kenya were taken into care after DNA tests found no link to the women claiming to be their mothers.
Two children who Deya claimed were his own remain in care.
Yesterday, the Charity Commission said: “We found there was no misuse of funds.
“We asked them to remove references to miracle babies from their website and that no further claims aremade and they agreed.
“We will continue to monitor the charity’s financial procedures.”
In 2004, the Record revealed Deya was hiding in Scotland after raids on his Nairobi home.
He was on Interpol’s most wanted list and the Metropolitan Police were brought in to help with the child trafficking probe.
Kenya still want to extradite him over child smuggling claims. His wife is under investigation there.
Deya, now living in London, said: “If I go back, I will be assassinated.
I want to stay here and open more churches. I’m going to do more miracles in the name of Jesus.”
Scotland Yard said Deya was arrested and questioned last year. A spokeswoman said: “Inquiries continue and we reserve the right to interview him again, if necessary.
“We will continue to liaise with the UK Immigration Service and the authorities in Kenya.”
|
Bookmark, Share, or Email This Page
Read Another Article
Related News Articles
Topic(s):
Find Related Information
Find Related
Possibly related... or Most Popular Religion News Articles
Search Religion News Blog