A former member of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM), Funke Ashekun, has written an open letter to former U.S. President Donald Trump, accusing the church’s General Overseer, Dr. Daniel Olukoya, of operating the ministry “like a mafia organisation” and using political influence to evade accountability.

In the letter, which has gone viral on social media, Ashekun claimed she spent nearly two decades in MFM before uncovering what she described as “dark truths” about the church’s internal operations.

“As you prepare to send troops into Nigeria to protect Christians from relentless persecution and killings, I humbly appeal for your help in investigating and curbing the excesses of Dr. D.K. Olukoya,” she wrote.
“Dr. Olukoya runs the church like a mafia organisation—controlling lives, silencing dissent, and using fear to maintain power.”

Ashekun alleged that the MFM leader exercises absolute control over members, suppresses opposing voices, and employs intimidation to retain loyalty. She also accused him of using the legal system to target those who question his leadership or expose alleged misconduct.

“Over the years, he has allegedly terrorised numerous members. Those who dared to confront or expose his sexual misconduct toward young girls and vulnerable women have faced imprisonment, intimidation, or multiple lawsuits designed to crush them,” she claimed.

Now based in the United States, Ashekun said she is currently facing her fifth lawsuit from the church for speaking out and alleged that MFM had previously tried to have her imprisoned through fabricated criminal cases, both of which were dismissed by U.S. courts.

“They even attempted to have me jailed here through two fabricated criminal cases—both of which I won in court,” she said.

She further claimed that Dr. Olukoya enjoys political protection in Nigeria, allegedly due to his ties with the Lagos State government. According to her, this influence has enabled him to manipulate law enforcement and judicial systems against critics.

“Dr. Olukoya enjoys protection from Nigerian authorities, having reportedly funded the campaign of the Lagos State Governor. With this influence, he manipulates the police and judiciary to harass and silence anyone who questions his authority,” Ashekun alleged.

The former MFM member also accused some pastors posted abroad of acting as the church leader’s “agents,” extending what she described as his “oppressive system” internationally through coordinated legal actions against her.

She appealed to Trump to include the alleged abuses within MFM in his renewed global campaign for religious freedom.

“Mr. President, I believe your focus on protecting persecuted Christians is an answer to our prayers. Please help investigate this matter and end the tyranny being perpetrated in the name of God,” she wrote.

Ashekun’s letter follows Trump’s recent comments designating Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” over alleged religious persecution. The former U.S. president warned that Washington could withhold aid or deploy military force if attacks on Christians persist.

The Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries has, however, previously denied similar allegations, describing them as baseless and malicious attempts to discredit both the church and its General Overseer.