RELIGION & SOCIETY | TRAGEDY & JUSTICE "No Legal Immunity": Apostle John Chi F...
"No Legal Immunity": Apostle John Chi Faces Lawsuit After 5 Worshippers Die in Overloaded Canoe Tragedy
Written By: Local News Desk | Published: October 16, 2026 | 5 min read
What was meant to be a joyous preparation for a milestone birthday has ended in a devastating tragedy and a looming legal battle. At least five young worshippers belonging to the Ark of God’s Covenant Ministry lost their lives when an overloaded motorized canoe capsized in Mudeka, Tiko Subdivision.
The victims, mostly students under the age of 25, were returning from "John Chi Island" on the night of September 22, 2026, after preparing the site for Apostle John Chi’s 50th Jubilee celebration. Now, amid allegations of gross negligence and an agonizing silence from the church's leadership, bereaved families are teaming up with humanitarian advocates to drag the prominent "man of God" to court.
A Fatal Rush in the Dark
The group had spent the day conducting developmental activities on the island ahead of the highly anticipated September 26 jubilee. The church reportedly operates two canoes to transport workers and visitors across the water, a trip that typically takes 15 minutes each way.
The Chain of Negligence
The first canoe departed around 5:30 p.m., carrying workers wearing the available life jackets. The second group was supposed to wait for the first canoe to return with the safety gear.
As darkness approached and rain threatened, the second canoe operator became anxious. Bypassing safety protocols, he decided not to wait for the life jackets to be returned.
In a rush to beat the weather, the operator loaded approximately 30 people into the canoe, far exceeding its authorized passenger capacity. Shortly after, the overloaded vessel capsized, throwing everyone into the dark water.
The "Heroes of Faith"
The operator managed to pull roughly 20 people from the water, but for others, the lack of life jackets proved fatal. The Senior Divisional Officer for Fako, Viang Mekala, confirmed the deaths of five individuals—four girls and one boy.
Apostle John Chi, who was in Bafoussam/Bamemena inaugurating a borehole project at the time, cut his trip short to visit the survivors. During a service on September 27, he held a minute of silence, declared a three-day mourning period, and posthumously declared the victims "heroes of faith."
Fighting for Accountability
Despite the tragedy, the Ark of God’s Covenant Ministry has faced intense online backlash for a perceived lack of transparency. Apostle John Chi has maintained a strict public silence regarding the operational negligence that caused the deaths, leading to formal legal action.
"We’ve now come to an agreement in principle with a team of four lawyers and a bereaved family who are ready to press charges against them and who think that religious status confers legal immunity."
— Ayah Ayah Abine, Humanitarian
Sona News Analysis
Religious Fervor vs. Basic Safety:
The Mudeka boat tragedy highlights a dangerous intersection between intense religious devotion and severe administrative negligence. The young victims, driven by a desire to serve their spiritual leader ahead of his 50th Jubilee, were placed in a high-risk situation by the very ministry meant to protect them. Labeling the victims "heroes of faith" may provide spiritual comfort, but it does not absolve the church of its operational failures regarding life jackets and passenger limits.
The End of Pastoral Immunity?
For decades, religious leaders across Central and West Africa have largely operated above the law, shielded by the reverence of their congregations. Ayah Ayah Abine’s lawsuit represents a significant cultural shift. By dragging Apostle John Chi into a civil or criminal court, the bereaved families are firmly declaring that "an act of God" cannot be used as a cover for human negligence.
The Road Ahead:
Local administrative authorities have opened an official investigation into the incident. The outcome of this probe, combined with the impending lawsuit, could set a massive legal precedent for how mega-churches and religious organizations manage the health and safety of their congregants during pilgrimages and massive events.
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