Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force in Elele, Rivers State, arrested Maria Omego-Edeh, sister of Catholic cleric Prof. Emmanuel Edeh, on Sunday morning, preventing her from attending Palm Sunday service amid an ongoing fraud dispute involving church officials and a mortgage bank.

Sources familiar with the incident told SaharaReporters on Monday that Omego-Edeh, a former Managing Director and majority shareholder of Mayfresh Mortgage Bank, had arrived at the Catholic Adoration Prayer Ministry in Elele on Saturday evening to visit her ailing brother. She reportedly stayed overnight in one of the ministry’s guest houses.

According to the sources, the situation escalated on Sunday morning when Omego-Edeh attempted to participate in the Palm Sunday Mass. Police officers from the Elele Division allegedly arrested her following complaints from a Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Charles, and her brother-in-law, Emmanuel Ani, who claimed she had been banned from attending services at the centre.

A source told SaharaReporters, “She was on her way to church for Palm Sunday when policemen approached and arrested her inside the premises. They said she had been banned from attending services there based on a complaint by a Reverend Father and her sister’s husband.”

The arrest is believed to be linked to a dispute over alleged falsification of shareholding documents of Mayfresh Mortgage Bank filed with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).

Sources said Omego-Edeh and her brother, John Paul Edeh, had petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged alteration of their shares, implicating some Catholic Reverend Sisters and individuals, including Martin Anagboso.

The dispute also reportedly involved officials linked to Madonna University, including a Deputy Vice-Chancellor, over documents submitted to the CAC.

Another source said, “Her arrest was clearly connected to the EFCC petition. Since she reported the alleged fraud, there has been pressure on her from some family members and church authorities.”

SaharaReporters further learnt that she was detained for several hours at Elele Police Station before being released later on Sunday evening and instructed to return on Monday.

Confirming the incident in a telephone conversation with SaharaReporters on Monday, President of the Civil Rights Realisation and Advancement Network, Olu Omotayo, described the arrest as unlawful and a violation of her fundamental rights.

“Yes, she was arrested on Sunday morning while going to attend Palm Sunday service. The police acted based on a complaint that she had been banned from the church. We consider this unlawful because no one can be prevented from worshipping,” Omotayo said.

He added that the arrest was connected to the EFCC investigation into alleged share manipulation.

“This issue is tied to her complaint to the EFCC over falsification of Mayfresh Mortgage Bank documents at the CAC. She reported fraud, and now she is being harassed. That is unacceptable,” he stated.

Omotayo added that Omego-Edeh was released on Sunday evening, with instructions to report back to the police as required.

“She has been released, but the police asked her to return today. We are monitoring the situation closely and insisting that her rights must be respected,” he said.

The rights advocate maintained that preventing a citizen from attending church service violates constitutional guarantees.

“The Constitution guarantees freedom of religion. Nobody has the power to ban another citizen from attending church simply because of a dispute or for reporting alleged fraud,” he added.

SaharaReporters’ attempts to obtain an official comment from Rivers State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, were unsuccessful, as she neither answered calls nor responded to a text message requesting her input.