Prophet Marcus Tibetan faces ₦65.5m land scandal as investor David Timilehin accuses him of failed deal and demands refund over suspicious Lagos land sale
Prophet Marcus Tibetan, the outspoken Lagos-based shepherd of the Celestial Church of Christ, has become embroiled in a troubling ₦65.5 million land controversy that has stirred shock within his congregation and beyond.
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A real estate investor, David Timilehin, is accusing the prophet of mishandling funds he allegedly paid for 30 plots of land in Epe, Lagos, describing the transaction as “tainted with fraud.”
He is now urging Nigerians and the Lagos State Government to intervene and help recover his money.
According to David, the prophet personally facilitated the deal between him and Mrs. Omolara Akintonde, wife of former Ogun State military governor Daniel Akintonde, who is also a member of the same church.
The land, said to be near the Dangote Refinery, was priced at ₦2 million per plot, totalling around ₦65.5 million, which David claimed to have transferred directly to Prophet Tibetan’s account in tranches.
Initially, the investor said he trusted the prophet as a “spiritual father” and refrained from involving a lawyer on Tibetan’s advice.
However, more than a year later, he neither received documentation nor land allocation. His suspicion deepened when he visited the land site independently and discovered it was located deep within Epe—far from the Lekki-Free-Trade-Zone area he was promised.
“When I saw the land, I knew something was wrong. It wasn’t near the refinery as described,” David said. “When the Prophet found out I went there, he became furious, saying he doesn’t forgive adults who offend him.”
The situation worsened when Mrs. Akintonde allegedly changed the price from ₦2 million to ₦5 million per plot, insisting David must pay ₦150 million to secure ownership.
This demand, coupled with the prophet’s alleged evasive behaviour, led David to request a refund instead of proceeding with the purchase.
Despite written communication from his lawyer, Mr. Ayo Durojaiye, seeking a refund and alleging fraudulent conduct, both parties have reportedly ignored the demand.
The lawyer noted that the land in question had been acquired by the Lagos State Government for public purposes, raising further concerns about the legitimacy of the sale.
When contacted by journalists, Prophet Tibetan initially confirmed receiving the funds but insisted he only acted as an intermediary, claiming David and Mrs. Akintonde should “sort themselves out.”
However, Mrs. Akintonde denied knowing David, even though recorded phone conversations allegedly reveal otherwise.
David provided bank statements and audio recordings purportedly showing details of the transaction and communication with the prophet. He insists he wants no confrontation—just a refund.
“I’ve cried out because I can’t continue being deceived,” David said. “I’m asking well-meaning Nigerians and the government to prevail on Prophet Tibetan to return my money. I’m no longer interested in the land.”
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For now, the matter remains unresolved, leaving the once-trusted prophet facing mounting public scrutiny and a crisis of credibility within his own flock.
Quadri Olaitan is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, public affairs, and human-interest stories.
