Greg Nwoko Historic Blog

Monday 26 January 2015

Guru Maharaj Ji

Guru Maharaj Ji, born Mohammed Ajirobatan Ibrahim, is a spiritual leader in Nigeria. He once lived in Festac Town. He has declared himself to be the Perfect Living Master, Guru Maharaj Ji, and is also called the "Black Jesus". He says that he has power over all illnesses and all problems affecting humanity.




Ibrahim comes from Oyo State. He worked for Nigeria Airways and travelled to India and London.

Maharaj Ji leads a communitarian group variously called the One Love Family, the One Love Mission, One Love, One Family, the Divine Love Family, or Divine Light Mission. It has an ashram, called "Satguru Maharaj Ji Village", on a lonely stretch of the Ibadan-Lagos Expressway, near Ibadan. Followers are vegetarians and wear badges as signs of their patriotism.

In 1989, former members claimed that 200 bodies were buried around the ashram. Maharishi Ji was arrested but the charges were dropped when no bodies were found.In 1999, the ashram was burned down by youths connected to the Iju Youths Progressive Union who were angered by the alleged killing of a Ghanaian man by devotees. Maharaj Ji was charged with the crime along with twelve disciples, and was kept in jail for several months but was acquitted in 2000. While incarcerated he received an average of 25 visitors a day. The judge criticized the prosecution for its lack of diligence. A state governor tried to shut down the ashram and acquire the property, but Maharaj Ji was able to prove ownership in court.

In 2000, he asserted that a visit by US President Bill Clinton to Nigeria was part of an American plan to open a military base in Nigeria and to take control of Africa. In 2003, he said the re-election of Olusegun Obasanjo as president of Nigeria was part of a "Golden Change", for which he was responsible. In 2004, he predicted that John Kerry would defeat George W. Bush. The same year he held a press conference warning church leaders to use contributions in accordance with biblical principles, such as feeding the poor, or else they would face the wrath of God. At a press conference in 2008, he expressed his strong support for Nuhu Ribadu as chair of Nigeria's anti-corruption Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, saying "The fight against corruption must be seen as a genuine effort to stabilize Nigeria and give meaning to all".

Those who have sought spiritual guidance from him include Mohammed Abacha and Hamza al-Mustapha.

Maharaj Ji disavows any connection to Prem Rawat, who also led a group called Divine Light Mission and was also known as the Perfect Master and Guru Maharaj Ji

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