Story & Photo by Niyi Tabiti
Chief Reporter
Ade Alumile, the Nigerian born international 419 kingpin a.k.a Ade Bendel declared that old things have indeed passed away in his life.He declared that his ambition is now to ensure that more people are led to Christ Jesus.
Ade Bendel, who finished his jail terms in December 2007, disclosed that Nigerian artistes from movie and music industry would be supporting his first major crusade slated for March 24th at Eleko Beach in Lagos.
A lot of people who were at Terra Kulture,venue of the press conference he addressed this afternoon were moved to tears as Ade Bendel shared testimony of how he accepted to change his ways and move closer to God.
Dapo Oyebanjo, the award winning entertainer popularly known as D’Banj was one of those moved to tears. He shook his head anytime Ade Bendel reel out testimonies that led him to Christ. He told http://www.niyitabiti.blogspot.com/ after the press conference that he was touched by the way Ade Bendel gave testimonies of his past and his readiness to move away totally from it. “I am ready to support his new cause wholeheartedly” he said.
“There was a day in prison, I met two youth between the ages of 18 and 20.They hailed me as Baba Ade Bendel.They told me I was their hero. When I asked what brought them into prison custody, they told me that they were into 419 (swindling people of their hard earned money).They also said that very soon they hope to be like me”
"That day, I broke down in tears. How can I be a hero destroying lives. A hero sending people that you dupe of their money to untimely death. I told God that if you give me the opportunity, I will serve you for the rest of my life” he said.
Chief Reporter
Ade Alumile, the Nigerian born international 419 kingpin a.k.a Ade Bendel declared that old things have indeed passed away in his life.He declared that his ambition is now to ensure that more people are led to Christ Jesus.
Ade Bendel, who finished his jail terms in December 2007, disclosed that Nigerian artistes from movie and music industry would be supporting his first major crusade slated for March 24th at Eleko Beach in Lagos.
A lot of people who were at Terra Kulture,venue of the press conference he addressed this afternoon were moved to tears as Ade Bendel shared testimony of how he accepted to change his ways and move closer to God.
Dapo Oyebanjo, the award winning entertainer popularly known as D’Banj was one of those moved to tears. He shook his head anytime Ade Bendel reel out testimonies that led him to Christ. He told http://www.niyitabiti.blogspot.com/ after the press conference that he was touched by the way Ade Bendel gave testimonies of his past and his readiness to move away totally from it. “I am ready to support his new cause wholeheartedly” he said.
“There was a day in prison, I met two youth between the ages of 18 and 20.They hailed me as Baba Ade Bendel.They told me I was their hero. When I asked what brought them into prison custody, they told me that they were into 419 (swindling people of their hard earned money).They also said that very soon they hope to be like me”
"That day, I broke down in tears. How can I be a hero destroying lives. A hero sending people that you dupe of their money to untimely death. I told God that if you give me the opportunity, I will serve you for the rest of my life” he said.
He also disclosed that immediately he was released,he made contact with the man whom he swindled through his lawyers."The man came all the way from abroad.I told him I have done restitution.We hugged and I promised to pay him back what I took from him and I fufilled it.I thank God for the prison experience and meeting Jesus, if not I may have been dead by now"he said.
Tagged ‘Turning Point with Ade Bendel and Friends' the event is the brain child of YINOX Foundation, a non-governmental foundation he founded to support the anti-graft war embarked upon by the government. The effort is geared at making Nigerian youth make the best of their talent rather than tarnish Nigeria’s image through advance fee fraud.
Top Nigerian entertainers such as Sammy Okposo,Francis Duru, Daddy Showkey,Mike Aremu,D’banj,Basket Mouth,Jeddi,9ice,Dekunle Fuji,Desmond Elliot and several others have already signify their interest in the show. The likes of Segun Arinze, Kingsley Ogoro, Koffi, Ikechukwu, Dare Art Alade, Sammy Okposo and Dan Foster were at the press briefing this afternoon.www.niyitabiti.blogspot.com also gathered that the Actors Guild of Nigeria will also be supporting the event.
Ade Bendel disclosed that effort is being made to collaborate with Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) on a number of campaigns to prevent people from investing their valuable time into crime.
Tagged ‘Turning Point with Ade Bendel and Friends' the event is the brain child of YINOX Foundation, a non-governmental foundation he founded to support the anti-graft war embarked upon by the government. The effort is geared at making Nigerian youth make the best of their talent rather than tarnish Nigeria’s image through advance fee fraud.
Top Nigerian entertainers such as Sammy Okposo,Francis Duru, Daddy Showkey,Mike Aremu,D’banj,Basket Mouth,Jeddi,9ice,Dekunle Fuji,Desmond Elliot and several others have already signify their interest in the show. The likes of Segun Arinze, Kingsley Ogoro, Koffi, Ikechukwu, Dare Art Alade, Sammy Okposo and Dan Foster were at the press briefing this afternoon.www.niyitabiti.blogspot.com also gathered that the Actors Guild of Nigeria will also be supporting the event.
Ade Bendel disclosed that effort is being made to collaborate with Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) on a number of campaigns to prevent people from investing their valuable time into crime.
Before now, Ade Bendel lived his lifeon the fast lane.Musicians particularly from the Juju and Fuji genre benefited enourmously from his loot.They sang his praises at every party in town.He was so flamboyant that he was among those always in possesion of the state of the art cars just released into the market.
Now, the story has changed and Ade Bendel appears ready for the change that would change lives.
Picture-D'banj (left) and Ade Alumile (Ade Bendel) in Victoria Island,Lagos, this afternoon (5 March 2008)
wow! I truly hope this is for real. Our God is such a compassionate God who does things for a reason. He let this man live the life he lived just to have the first hand experience and become an inspiration to others. Awesome God!
ReplyDeleteAww, what a pity!, I think he's just moving into the next stage of more looting...there is more to "419" with church than with individual..His 419 was then with individual, but now...its going to be thousands of miracle seekers....am waiting for his first miracle to kick start crusade, then comes millions of peoples 10% earning...and if it's real...good luck Ade-Pastor...phil.4:19(Bible)
ReplyDeleteu are funny my dear
DeleteHmm!Won tun de o! dey don come again o! What of the people these 419ers duped and died because of the shock! Are their children going to be compensated? No offense meant I just thought I should ask. I don't know any one that was dupe.
ReplyDeleteloooooooooooooooooooooooooool. i go die. deceit na bastard. so he is now a so called ''pastor''. May d swindling on a larger scale begin.
ReplyDeleteThank God for Jesus o. I truly hope he has changed because if he is using God's name anyhow, he's ended his own life.
ReplyDeleteNiyi, please I know you're typing fast, but proofread before posting. I know nobody's perfect, but perhaps you need to higher one english major to help you in you editorials. I can imagine how many people want to advertise with you but might be apprehensive because of this one point.
chai dbanj just tooo foinnnee.hopefully he wud turn to a born again..lol
ReplyDeleted'banj is foine. did i hear marriage bells ringing in the air for him. or is it just my imagination.
ReplyDeleteD Banj is foine hmm he's fine but I think this his oversized glasses are beginning to get to me.
ReplyDeleteChi beke: So Pastor Ade Bendel, now that you are a pastor???!!@## what about the Lekki mansion you completed with the spoils from all those 419'd people from your prison cell.
AdeBendel(scratching head) Ahh infact Chi beke now that you mention it, it is all to the Glory of God.
Hmmm...immediately i started reading this post, i just sort of had a doubt about this change of behaviour. Anyways, let's wait and see what happens. Everybody deserves a second chance.
ReplyDeleteonly time will tell if he has really changed.
ReplyDeletelol@ Chi-bekee, and "its just to the glory of God"...LooooooooL!
ReplyDeleteSo he completed a mansion in Lekki WHILE IN prison?!
@ anon 5:11 AM: in regards to ur statement, "hmm he's fine but i think this his oversized glasses are beginning to get to me." may i ask u to, pls, expanshiate abi na kowashiate, 'cause i can't seem to read in b/w ur lines.
ReplyDeleteas therein lies a deeper meaning to ur statement. u know what i mean. thanks.
Right...*feel free to insert max amount of sarcasm including the facial expressions* i believe people can change but the pastor image is Nigeria is well beyond tarnished with every tom dick and harry springing up a church in any empty space. Hope he stays true to his word and this doe snot turn out to be another form of 419
ReplyDeleteNa wah oooooo! Ade-Bendel rather than look for magas (mugus) online, magas will begin to seek you in person willingly. EFCC cannot beat this style.
ReplyDeleteDon't blame D'banj, The guy needs more shows nomatter how it comes.
Niyi abeg no go him church ooooooo!
I pray that God will give him the grace he needs to truly& genuinely serve and follow God becos there is more to life than most people think.
ReplyDeleteI wish you all the best afterall who are we to jugde especially since we are all not perfect.
Good luck as you (Ade Bendel) make this heavenly journey.
Niyi i love your concept, God will crown your effort with success. i pray that God will help him as he (ADE BENDEL) turns pastor....but D.banj be careful cause you have your name to protect. m .m
ReplyDelete@Anon 1.51a.m: Hell No! It's not what you think.
ReplyDeleteI am no kokolet or a an aspiring one.I an just worried that all this his oversized glasses might make his real face unrecognizable.
Chibekee
wetin be de real face, sef, u don see am b4. omo na real effizy be dat. abi o.
ReplyDeleteEvery1 deserve a second chance no matter what you have done in this life.......A pray God sees him through...D'banj reputation remains he's just part of a concert for a man who embrace change and Lord Jesus.
ReplyDeleteNuff Said
Obasanjo also met Jesus Christ in prison before he was made civilian president. Evidently today we all have our thots towards OBJ. I guess we can all conclude how prison reforms people like that.
ReplyDeleteI hope this is not another way to Launder money on a bigger scale, EFCC should brazen up!!!!!! Where is Ribadu???!!!!!!
Debola Oyin
thats a realli awesome thing to do..imagine if obasanjo repented and returned half of the trillions he is reportedly worth?or if ibb returned half of the 12 or so billion dollars or if the abacha family did same ,pls dont castigate this man as we have all sinned and our nigerian leaders have done much worse
ReplyDeletewell every body istalking about ade, even if he is but people are worst than him.isabella
ReplyDeleteMay God anoint you do his will
ReplyDeleteHmmmm!! Impossibility doesnt exist..I believe in the lord our father and believe in whatever he does.I've seen a criminal not even a fraudster but an arm robber that turned pastor but no miracle of healing. He does a very good job God has sent him to the world to do. Go ahead Sir Ade Bendel. I hope and pray God would use you to touch the other young yahoo yahoo boys souls so our beloved country could have a good record mostly in USA and UK. But Sir Ade Bendel remember to give all your belongings to christ and start to earn from his true way of life. God be with you and be with your family...
ReplyDelete{LET HIM DAT HAS NO SIN CAST D FIRST STONE}ANYTHING CAN HAPEN AT ANY TIME AFTERALL GOD CHANGED THE MIND OF SAUL AND HE BECAME AN ARMY OF GOD SO ADE BENDEL MAY HAVE WON GOD'S FAVOUR AND I WISH HIM D BEST AND STRENTH TO CARRY ON THIS FAITH.AND U GUYS LEAVE D KOKO MASTER ALONEEEEEEEEEE.
ReplyDeleteWell All i have to say is someone can't just rip other peoples money if he his rich and Ok all i can say give him another chance i am a Yahoo Yahoo Boy and making up to 20k $ every week i do it coded and settle my boys i think Ade is greedy that was why they caught Him
ReplyDeleteI'm not God, so I cannot comment on the validity, or otherwise, of his salvation.
ReplyDeleteHowever a reading of his testimony (for want of a better word) would give the impression that he had only previously swindled one person.
Certainly the $200k, $500k or $600k (accounts differ on the exact amount)he collected from the Egyptian general is not the money he had maintained a flashy lifesytle with all this while.
Assuming but not conceeding it is, then I take it that he also properly invested this money and has been able to not only pay back the debt, feed multitudes in prison, buy cars and also build a mansion in Lekki with the proceeds!
This man should be made a bank director (please stop rolling on the ground!)
But seriously, those in the know are aware that there was more than one victim.
The proper thing for Ade Bendel to do is to reach out to ALL his victims, plus the families of those who have passed away to ask for forgiveness and also return ALL the monies stolen (because that is what it is).
Some of them may ask him not to bother with a refund, but the majority will.
Only after doing this can he keep any leftovers, and I sincerely doubt if anything would be left.
He should thereafter devote himself to repaying the balance.
Only then can his salvation begin to have some resemblance of reality.
Remember Zacheus the dwarf tax collector. He returned all he had stolen, also gave something to the poor and still had a little left.
You cant hold on to the proceeds of sin (theft) and claim to be saved.
ps: meanwhile, to the youngman (shdnky)who makes $20k a week from fraud, all I can say to people like you is - THINK!
I'm not God, so I cannot comment on the validity, or otherwise, of his salvation.
ReplyDeleteHowever a reading of his testimony (for want of a better word) would give the impression that he had only previously swindled one person.
Certainly the $200k, $500k or $600k (accounts differ on the exact amount)he collected from the Egyptian general is not the money he had maintained a flashy lifesytle with all this while.
Assuming but not conceeding it is, then I take it that he also properly invested this money and has been able to not only pay back the debt, feed multitudes in prison, buy cars and also build a mansion in Lekki with the proceeds!
This man should be made a bank director (please stop rolling on the ground!)
But seriously, those in the know are aware that there was more than one victim.
The proper thing for Ade Bendel to do is to reach out to ALL his victims, plus the families of those who have passed away to ask for forgiveness and also return ALL the monies stolen (because that is what it is).
Some of them may ask him not to bother with a refund, but the majority will.
Only after doing this can he keep any leftovers, and I sincerely doubt if anything would be left.
He should thereafter devote himself to repaying the balance.
Only then can his salvation begin to have some resemblance of reality.
Remember Zacheus the dwarf tax collector. He returned all he had stolen, also gave something to the poor and still had a little left.
You cant hold on to the proceeds of sin (theft) and claim to be saved.
ps: meanwhile, to the youngman (shdnky)who makes $20k a week from fraud, all I can say to people like you is - THINK!
The new on-slaught is on the unsuspecting everly welcoming and second chance giving church of Christ. Anything can happen though but is he for real?
ReplyDeleteIt is good to note that this ex-419 and convict build a chapel in the Kirikiri Prison yard.
ReplyDeleteI hope the new convicts Bode George and others using the same chapel will now emulate what Ade Bendel did at Kirikiri and do better things that will make life and spiritual souls of inmates better as well Nigerian people.
Mr Ade Bendel God will help u and u shall never be down in jesus name we love you so much. take care and thanks for leaving the game shows for us .. one luv hope we change one day .. anyone can email me on jayb1960@msn.com one luv
ReplyDeleteOluwa oooo....KWAM 1 now come ni?..as u spend for am reach...May God forgive us all
ReplyDeleteThis is yanponyanri part2: Ade Bendel di pastor
ReplyDelete