Matthew Ashimolowo
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Matthew Ashimolowo (b 17 March 1952 in Nigeria) is the Senior Pastor of Kingsway International Christian Centre in [[London. Under his leadership membership of the church has grown from 300 adults to almost 8,000 in eight years. He is steering KICC towards its vision of 25,000 members by the year 2010.[citation needed] His ministry is about to embark upon building a 10,000-seater arena that is to be the first of its kind in Europe. [citation needed]
His Winning Ways programme is aired daily on Premier Radio (London) and Spirit FM (Amsterdam) and also viewed on television by a potential audience of over 200 million in Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe, TV Africa and Europe on The God Channel and Inspirational Network.[citation needed] Matthew is also the author of 33 books including the highly acclaimed Prayer Power series.[citation needed] He is married to Yemisi with two sons, Tobi and Tomi.[citation needed]
[edit] Financial Irregularities
In October 2005 the Charity Commission of England and Wales released its Inquiry Report on the KICC (aka The King's Ministry Trust).[1] On the basis of its initial findings, the Commission concluded that there was serious misconduct and mismanagement in the administration of the Charity and that the Charity’s property was at risk. Ashimolowo acted as both paid employee and trustee of the church against UK charity law and was responsible for approving payments and benefits to himself and his wife, Yemisi. Benefits received included free accommodation for himself and family, a £120,000 birthday party including an £80,000 car, over half a million pounds paid out to Ashimolowo's private companies, which were operated from church property and purchase of a Florida timeshare property.
Ashimolowo has been required to re-pay a sum of £200,000 as restitution to the church, and although other unauthorised funds were also received by him, the charity commission decided it would be against the best interests of the church to pursue these.
