TB Joshua, one of Nigeria's best known preachers, has linked a small plane circling over a church guesthouse in Lagos to its subsequent collapse.
At least 40 people died when the two-storey guesthouse for members of the Synagogue Church of All Nations collapsed on Friday.
There is no official comment. Local officials have said additional floors were being added to the structure.
Mr Joshua - also known as the Prophet - regularly preaches to vast crowds.
The popular televangelist says a small plane had circled over the building four times before it collapsed on Friday afternoon and it may have been an attempt to kill him.
"It was yesterday, Friday, as I was praying; they came to call me that there was an airplane hovering over the church. They said it is like it wanted to land," his statement said.
He said about 30 minutes later, it came over the building several times.
"About five minutes after, the building came down."
He gave journalists a CCTV video clip of the alleged plane, urging them "to use their discretion to write on what they saw".
Rescue officials say 130 people were pulled out of the rubble - some are being treated in local hospitals. Many foreigners are believed to have been there at the time.
Mr Joshua's services, at a mega-church in Lagos's Ikotun district, are known for attracting thousands of people.
Followers in Nigeria and abroad believe he has the gifts of healing and prophecy.
Latest Stories
-
Rheumatologist sheds light on hidden challenges persons living with lupus face
1 hour -
Ghana, Nigeria and the quest for UK looted treasure
1 hour -
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, says Nigeria is ‘my country’ on visit with Prince Harry
2 hours -
Man who received first pig kidney transplant dies
2 hours -
Akufo-Addo pays tribute at funeral of late former DCE and chief of Binaba
2 hours -
Afronita hopeful of making it to Britain’s Got Talent semi-finals
2 hours -
Oprah Winfrey speaks of ‘biggest regret’ as she opens up about weight loss struggles
2 hours -
Arsenal beat Man Utd to return top and keep title race alive
2 hours -
Djokovic greets fans with a helmet after being hit by bottle
2 hours -
Leverkusen beat Bochum to go 50 games unbeaten
2 hours -
How Kendrick Lamar and Drake changed rap beefs forever
3 hours -
Harry and Meghan visit Lagos school on final day of Nigeria tour
3 hours -
World’s top coffee, soy and sugar supplier Brazil wants to rule cocoa, too
3 hours -
Yaw Nsarkoh: I remember Paulin Hountondji…
3 hours -
Inspiring Love Story: How Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and adorable Lady Julia first met; 6 lessons learnt
3 hours