The Inter-Religious Council of Sierra Leone (IRCSL) has strongly condemned controversial claims made by Sister Linda Rika and Prophet Michael, who both publicly asserted that they had visited heaven.
Speaking during an interview on Truth Media, the Council’s General Secretary, Reverend Jesse Fornah, explicitly called on the Ministry of Social Welfare to intervene and hold both individuals accountable for their recent religious pronouncements.
The council labeled Prophet Michael’s claims of ascending to heaven and returning as a “fallacy and a lie,” while openly questioning the credibility of both figures.
Rev. Fornah warned that the country is currently witnessing a troubling period where certain individuals preach in the name of God without a genuine divine calling or sending.
Particular condemnation was directed at Sister Linda’s reported assertion that Muslims would not enter heaven and were destined for hell.
Rev. Fornah stressed that she lacks the spiritual authority to determine the final destiny of people belonging to another faith, stating firmly that she has no right to condemn Muslims.
Because the IRCSL currently lacks the independent legal authority to penalize or sanction individuals for religious misconduct, government intervention has become necessary. The Council has formally requested that the Ministry of Social Welfare invite both Sister Linda and Prophet Michael to explain the basis and authority behind their pronouncements regarding heaven and the fate of others.
To prevent the abuse of religious platforms moving forward, the IRCSL disclosed that it is actively working with the ministry to strengthen oversight. This initiative includes integrating a formal supervisory role for the Council into the registration process for religious bodies, as well as validating a new document designed to curb hate speech, divisive messages, and misleading preaching across Sierra Leone.
