Matthew Ashimolowo, senior pastor of Kingsway International Christian
Centre (KICC), says the former trustees of his church, not him, made
the decision to invest $5 million dollars, which was lost to a ponzi
scheme.
Ashimolowo said this in a statement signed on his behalf by Dipo
Oluyomi, chief executive officer and James McGlashan, chief operating
officer for KICC.
The statement said the investment was made seven and a half years ago.
KICC admitted that the trustees of the KICC made the decision to
invest in the scheme, but however, said Ashimolowo had nothing to do
with it.
“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’,” the statement read.
“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.
“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.”