Roland Peter, 47, was arrested while allegedly preparing a dish in his kitchen with the man’s liver and intestines.
He is said to be a member of a gang who kidnapped and killed the victim in Nigeria.
Police Commissioner Zaki Ahmed said: “The Command arrested Roland Peter, a member of a notorious gang that kidnapped Pastor Samuel Okpara from Edoha.
“They kidnapped, killed and beheaded the victim and used his liver and intestines for pepper-soup and plantain pottage.
“He was arrested while preparing the meal for his gang.”
Peter is also accused of keeping rifles used by the gang, led by “one Justus, but popularly known as High Tension,” reports Punch.
Peter denied the murder and cannibal allegations, claiming he was arrested for illegal possession of fire arms.
But he admitted knowing victim Samuel – and claimed he was “a man of God” too.
“Yes I know Pastor Samuel Okpara, but it is not true that I used his body parts for pepper soup,” he told reporters at police HQ in Port Harcourt.
“I am a servant of God, The Lord said my kitchen shall be for everyone he created. So, I usually open my kitchen for everyone.
“One day, my wife told me a guy is in my house and I came and asked him why he was in my house.
“He said he is hungry and I ordered her to give him food because if you deny the guys what they want, they will rape your wife, kill you and your children.
“So, to save my wife and family, we gave him food and the police came in the night and arrested me.”
Peter added: “I have a kitchen where I cook for people to come and eat.
“It is my religion that permits me to help people. Especially those who are hungry.
“But police saying that I cook with human parts is a lie.
“What I use to cook my food is fish. I don’t use human parts.
“My wife makes the food and we give anybody that wants to eat.
“I am a man of God and also a mechanic.
“My wife cooked soup with fish not meat and it’s the same food we gave him.
“I am also a mechanic and the head pastor of God’s Tabernacle Church. So, I can’t lie.
“The police arrested me because they claim that cultists used to keep guns in my house which is not true.”
Rivers State Commissioner Ahmed added: “The suspect is helping the police in their investigation.”
It is the second cannibal horror bombshell to rock Africa in a week.
Five men are in custody after a woman was reportedly raped, murdered and butchered before parts of her were eaten in Estcourt, South Africa.