Oyedepo's School Request Under Investigation --Britain

The British government has said it is investigating David Oyedepo's
Winners' Chapel International's request to establish an independent
school in the country.

The fee-paying school, Kingdom Heritage Model School in Dartford, was
set to open to children from the age of four in September.

The school, which will teach "Biblical truths" in each subject, is
currently being considered by the British Department for Education.
The church itself is said to be under investigation by the Charity
Commission.

Among those kicking against the church's opening a school in the
country is the National Secular Society, an organisation that
campaigns for the separation of religion and state.

The NSS expressed concern that a school linked to the "controversial
preacher" was set to open in England.

In a letter to the Department for Education, the NSS had questioned
the suitability of the organisation to run educational establishments
in the country, raising concerns over both educational standards and
child welfare.

In 2011, Oyedepo was, reportedly, captured on video assaulting a young
girl at one of his church service. The girl was alleged to be
possessed by some evil spirits.

In 2012, the Metropolitan Police stated that children believed to be
possessed by evil spirits or believed to be witches are at "clear and
immediate risk of significant harm."

In considering the school's registration, the NSS has also asked the
DfE to look into the details surrounding the death of a three-year-old
child who drowned in the toilets of a Kingdom Heritage Model School
operated by Winners Chapel in Nigeria in 2012.

The NSS campaigns manager Stephen Evans, said, "Given this Church's
association with belief in witchcraft and the actions of its leader,
we hope the department will give serious consideration to the
reliability of the school's commitment to safeguarding and promoting
the welfare of children."

According to the rights advocacy group, the proposed school
acknowledges "God as the sovereign and only wise God in all affairs of
life and learning," and believes the Bible to be the ultimate source
of wisdom.

When PUNCH correspondent contacted the church through phone numbers
provided on its website, one of the respondents said he was a
technical person and as such could not comment on the issue.

But another staff of the church, who refused to give his name, said
the allegation was "a scam, it cannot be true."
--PUNCH