Published 9th Dec, 2022

By Tola Owoyele

Climate Wiseman, a bishop and founder of Kingdom Church, Camberwell, London, United Kingdom, was found guilty of fraud by an Inner London Crown Court after he sold bottles containing hyssop, cedarwood and olive oil as “plague protection oil” during the pandemic.

According to the UK Mirror, Wiseman, 47, sold each bottle as part of a “protection kit” that contained other items like a “prayer card and scarlet yarn” for £91.

He also told his flock during the pandemic that they could drop dead if they did not purchase the kit.

While defending himself in court on Thursday, Wiseman told a group of jurors that he was inspired by a visitation from God, who during the visit, told him he was a prophet who could cure coronavirus.

He also told the jurors he had performed many miracles, including curing the blind, and insisted he believed the oil was capable of curing or preventing Covid-19 for him and members of his church “because of their faith”.

During the hearing, 10 witnesses from Wiseman’s congregation, including nurses, told the jury they were either cured or prevented from getting Covid-19 after using the oil by steam inhalation and rubbing it on their skin.

Wiseman, who was said to have sold “special oils that could help win court cases” to members of his congregation in the past, denied fraud and two alternative counts under the UK’s Consumer Protection From Unfair Trading Regulations.

He was, however, found guilty by the jury of fraud between March 23, 2020, and March 24, 2021 (the pandemic period), by a majority of 11 to one.

Nigel Peters, the presiding judge, said Wiseman carried out the fraud when there was fear among the public regarding the virus.

“This was being touted at a time when the public in this country were under the most intense pressure as to what would happen tomorrow,” Peters said.

Wiseman’s sentencing was adjourned.

Share on Social Media