Chris Okafor, the Senior Pastor of the Mountain of Liberation and Miracles Ministries, has resigned from his pastoral position due to mounting indignation over several sexual accusations made against him.
During a service at his church last Sunday, the pastor publicly apologized to actress Doris Ogala. He knelt on the pulpit, acknowledged his previous "mistakes," and asked for forgiveness.
The development comes after his December 16, 2025, wedding to a new bride known only as Pearl, which was attended by well-known priests.
Despite Ogala's widely shared allegations of betrayal, emotional manipulation, and breaking a long-term commitment to marry, Okafor reportedly proceeded with the ceremony.
However, a number of churchgoers rejected the accusations, seeing them as desperate attempts by people to demand money from their "man of God."
The pressure to resign
Respected Christian leaders reportedly put pressure on Okafor to resign in order to ease tensions as the accusations intensified on social media in recent weeks, with additional women coming forward with differing accounts.
Respected Christian leaders reportedly put pressure on Okafor to resign in order to ease tensions as the accusations intensified on social media in recent weeks, with additional women coming forward with differing accounts.
This was confirmed to one of our journalists by a top executive of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, who is close to the preacher.
The official continued, "There are more things to be done in terms of disciplinary actions."
The insider clarified that because meetings to formally discuss the controversy could not be held during the holiday season, discussions within the PFN had slowed down.
"It was not possible to hold meetings to discuss taking action against Okafor. However, he has resigned for a month due to pressure from some of the body of Christ's leaders. I think some choices about him would have been made by the end of the month," the official said.
The official continued, "There are more things to be done in terms of disciplinary actions."
The insider clarified that because meetings to formally discuss the controversy could not be held during the holiday season, discussions within the PFN had slowed down.
"It was not possible to hold meetings to discuss taking action against Okafor. However, he has resigned for a month due to pressure from some of the body of Christ's leaders. I think some choices about him would have been made by the end of the month," the official said.
The official responded, "I don't think it is the PFN that should do that," when asked if the organization would look into the accusations made against the pastor. We are neither a law enforcement organization nor the police. It is not the PFN's responsibility to look into a rape claim against a pastor. I want Nigerians to understand that no one can be arrested, even if we conduct any kind of investigation. The government ought to intervene because this is a criminal case.
This does not, however, imply that PFN does not take action in such circumstances. Spiritual pressure and discipline is what PFN, or the church of Christ, can do; the police should look into other areas. When it comes to criminal allegations, PFN lacks the legal authority to conduct an investigation or make an arrest.
He went on to say that even though PFN was handling the matter discreetly, its actions shouldn't be interpreted as an official probe.
He went on to say that even though PFN was handling the matter discreetly, its actions shouldn't be interpreted as an official probe.
"PFN is doing a lot of things behind the scenes regarding Pastor Okafor's case, but I don't want to call these things an investigation." For present, it is not intended for public consumption. One of the things that PFN and the body of Christ forced him to do was to step down.
"We had to step in and do our part when we saw the magnitude of the allegations, and it was already looking like a criminal matter, but the government also has to play its role," the person continued.
"I resigned at God's command."
"We had to step in and do our part when we saw the magnitude of the allegations, and it was already looking like a criminal matter, but the government also has to play its role," the person continued.
"I resigned at God's command."
Nonetheless, the pastor stated that his decision to resign was due to spiritual rejuvenation during his sermon at the church's New Year's crossover service on Wednesday night.
"I'll be taking a nap. The pastor informed his audience, "It would be time for me and my wife to rest and for a personal retreat with God."
We haven't taken a break since getting married. We've run out of time. Our honeymoon is still ongoing. In order to return stronger and better from the Lord's presence, we are taking a break from this January to pray, retreat, and rest.
Okafor stated that the hiatus would extend until February, although he clarified that this did not imply he would be completely absent from church activities.
"I'll be taking a nap. The pastor informed his audience, "It would be time for me and my wife to rest and for a personal retreat with God."
We haven't taken a break since getting married. We've run out of time. Our honeymoon is still ongoing. In order to return stronger and better from the Lord's presence, we are taking a break from this January to pray, retreat, and rest.
Okafor stated that the hiatus would extend until February, although he clarified that this did not imply he would be completely absent from church activities.
The accusations
Actress Ogala shared a number of poignant videos on her Instagram page on December 14, sparking a wave of accusations against the clergyman.
She said in the videos that the pastor had a nine-year sexual connection with her that started in 2017.
The actress claimed that the clergyman repeatedly made marriage promises to her before being married to someone else in December 2025.
She also claimed in the tapes that Okafor shared her obscene images and videos.
She claimed that the pastor caused her financial loss, emotional suffering, and the dissolution of her prior marriage.
Actress Ogala shared a number of poignant videos on her Instagram page on December 14, sparking a wave of accusations against the clergyman.
She said in the videos that the pastor had a nine-year sexual connection with her that started in 2017.
The actress claimed that the clergyman repeatedly made marriage promises to her before being married to someone else in December 2025.
She also claimed in the tapes that Okafor shared her obscene images and videos.
She claimed that the pastor caused her financial loss, emotional suffering, and the dissolution of her prior marriage.
Along with some bedroom pictures and screenshots of chats, the actress posted videos alleging that a rival pastor engineered the claims and that the pastor sent her $10,000 to withdraw her statements.
After being held and imprisoned by the police, she later filed a court notice through her legal team demanding N1 billion in damages, claiming intimidation and threats.
As the controversy grew, several women accused the pastor of infidelity, manipulation, and sexual misconduct.
Among them was Bessem Okafor, his ex-wife, who charged Okafor with physical violence, infidelity, and deceit.
In an interview with well-known YouTuber Aunty Adunni, the woman stated that she broke up with the cleric 14 years ago because she was ashamed of his purported behaviour
As the controversy grew, several women accused the pastor of infidelity, manipulation, and sexual misconduct.
Among them was Bessem Okafor, his ex-wife, who charged Okafor with physical violence, infidelity, and deceit.
In an interview with well-known YouTuber Aunty Adunni, the woman stated that she broke up with the cleric 14 years ago because she was ashamed of his purported behaviour
The woman said that she had four abortions for the pastor during their lengthy relationship, which began about 2015.
Ebere stated that she eventually retained one pregnancy for the pastor, which produced a kid, despite the pastor's repeated promises of marriage.
A video of another woman making new accusations against Okafor appeared on Instagram a few days ago.
She said that the pastor had intercourse with her and her sister, leading to pregnancies.
The woman insisted that she had proof to back up her accusations and demanded a DNA test to verify her assertions that the children in question looked like the pastor.
A few days before Christmas, social media activist Martin Otse, better known as VeryDarkMan, posted an audio tape on his Instagram page in which a woman named Chidera Okafor, claiming to be the pastor's daughter, accused him of making sexual approaches toward her at home.
She claimed that after informing her mother about the incident, she was forced to leave their house in 2020.
But in a widely shared video that went viral during the week, the pastor refuted the assertion.
The troubled pastor cannot be arrested, according to the Lagos State Police Command, because the victims have not filed a formal petition against him.
She claimed that after informing her mother about the incident, she was forced to leave their house in 2020.
But in a widely shared video that went viral during the week, the pastor refuted the assertion.
The troubled pastor cannot be arrested, according to the Lagos State Police Command, because the victims have not filed a formal petition against him.
Despite the circulating accusations on social media, Abimbola Adebisi, the command's spokesman, stated she was unaware of any complaints against Okafor.
"The department in charge of it would have informed me if there were any. Anyone can come forward with a petition, according to Adebisi.
Members stand up for the preacher
"The department in charge of it would have informed me if there were any. Anyone can come forward with a petition, according to Adebisi.
Members stand up for the preacher
On Thursday and Friday, a group of investigative journalists went to the church's headquarters in Lagos' Ojodu neighborhood.
A security officer and a church pastor instructed one of our correspondents to come back the next day to talk with some officials during the Thursday visit.
But when the reporter came back on Friday, two women at the church reception refused to discuss the accusations or put the writer in touch with anyone, claiming the pastor had left everything to God.
However, two senior churchgoers who spoke with our correspondent rejected the accusations as fabrications, blackmail, and the product of critics.
A security officer and a church pastor instructed one of our correspondents to come back the next day to talk with some officials during the Thursday visit.
But when the reporter came back on Friday, two women at the church reception refused to discuss the accusations or put the writer in touch with anyone, claiming the pastor had left everything to God.
However, two senior churchgoers who spoke with our correspondent rejected the accusations as fabrications, blackmail, and the product of critics.
A journalist was informed by one of them, Ruben Alufe, who claimed to have been a member of the church for the previous 20 years, that the claims were driven by hate.
"Pastor Okafor is a devout man. Ignore what people are saying. "All they want to do is blackmail him," Alufe remarked.
For the past 20 years, I have been a part of his church. He has served as both my father in the Lord and my pastor. He and I have been quite close. I can thus state with confidence that the widely circulated accusations against him are untrue. They don't exist.
Alufe added that he had a close-up view of everyday activities because his wife's store had been on the church street for a long time.
"Pastor Okafor is a devout man. Ignore what people are saying. "All they want to do is blackmail him," Alufe remarked.
For the past 20 years, I have been a part of his church. He has served as both my father in the Lord and my pastor. He and I have been quite close. I can thus state with confidence that the widely circulated accusations against him are untrue. They don't exist.
Alufe added that he had a close-up view of everyday activities because his wife's store had been on the church street for a long time.
He highlighted Okafor's contributions to the community and asked why anyone would spread lies about the pastor.
"Okafor truly is a man of God." This road was built for the community by him. So why should people disparage someone like that? He inquired.
The timing of the claims demonstrated their falsity, according to the second member, who declined to reveal his identity.
"Okafor truly is a man of God." This road was built for the community by him. So why should people disparage someone like that? He inquired.
The timing of the claims demonstrated their falsity, according to the second member, who declined to reveal his identity.
Before he got married, did you hear all of these things? Have you come across anything similar on the internet? That indicates that what the bloggers are claiming is untrue," the participant stated.
"There are just 419 individuals who are responsible for the accusations. All they want is money. A lot of people use social media to disseminate false information.
Additionally, a church minister who wished to remain anonymous described the incident as one of the spiritual difficulties associated with preaching.
You have to realize that we live in a cruel world. Nothing you do will make them happy. The pastor stated, "They have to say something positive or negative about you."
"There are just 419 individuals who are responsible for the accusations. All they want is money. A lot of people use social media to disseminate false information.
Additionally, a church minister who wished to remain anonymous described the incident as one of the spiritual difficulties associated with preaching.
You have to realize that we live in a cruel world. Nothing you do will make them happy. The pastor stated, "They have to say something positive or negative about you."
"For the majority of these things, several other men of God have gone through similar periods because if there is a next level, there will definitely be a next devil," he continued. There isn't a preacher who can't overcome obstacles. For a man of God, it can be like that at times.
I can confidently declare that my pastor is a man of God in spite of what some people are saying. He even declared from the pulpit that anything bloggers have to say about him is false, and I believe him. Who am I to pass judgment on him? I'm not God.
Christian leaders and CAN advise prudence
I can confidently declare that my pastor is a man of God in spite of what some people are saying. He even declared from the pulpit that anything bloggers have to say about him is false, and I believe him. Who am I to pass judgment on him? I'm not God.
Christian leaders and CAN advise prudence
Speaking on the subject, Bishop Stephen Adegbite, the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria's Lagos branch, counseled ministers to live out the teachings they preach and to remember that they will eventually have to account for their stewardship.
"Ministers must do as I do and not as I say because judgment will begin in the house of God," he declared.
Adegbite went on to say that not all people who identify as pastors are indeed called, characterizing others as self-appointed ministers motivated by self-interest.
The Christian leader emphasized the necessity for fear of God despite human imperfection and asked preachers to maintain godly standards in the New Year.
"Ministers must do as I do and not as I say because judgment will begin in the house of God," he declared.
Adegbite went on to say that not all people who identify as pastors are indeed called, characterizing others as self-appointed ministers motivated by self-interest.
The Christian leader emphasized the necessity for fear of God despite human imperfection and asked preachers to maintain godly standards in the New Year.
He said the church may think about giving a pastor another chance if he had acknowledged his wrongdoing, apologized to the congregation, and accepted compensation.
He stated, "His life can become a testimony to others if he repents genuinely."
Speaking as well, Archbishop Osazee William, the International Secretary of the Ecumenical Synods of Bishops, Archbishops, Apostles, and Senior Clergy in London, stated that problems involving pastors frequently receive more attention than comparable actions by other members of society.
He stated, "His life can become a testimony to others if he repents genuinely."
Speaking as well, Archbishop Osazee William, the International Secretary of the Ecumenical Synods of Bishops, Archbishops, Apostles, and Senior Clergy in London, stated that problems involving pastors frequently receive more attention than comparable actions by other members of society.
William noted that the Scriptures offer forgiveness and restoration, but that misconduct should never be excused because pastors are fallible human beings.
"People do worse things than this, but once it involves a pastor, it takes a different dimension," he stated. Pastors are people. While the Bible states that a virtuous man falls seven times and the Lord pardons him, wrongdoing is undoubtedly wrong.
He questioned whether the purpose of making such issues public was to exalt Jesus or to defame the church and altar.
He gave examples of how the public was not outraged by the conduct of traditional rulers and others, pointing out that identical acts by pastors are frequently depicted in various ways.
"People do worse things than this, but once it involves a pastor, it takes a different dimension," he stated. Pastors are people. While the Bible states that a virtuous man falls seven times and the Lord pardons him, wrongdoing is undoubtedly wrong.
He questioned whether the purpose of making such issues public was to exalt Jesus or to defame the church and altar.
He gave examples of how the public was not outraged by the conduct of traditional rulers and others, pointing out that identical acts by pastors are frequently depicted in various ways.
But William cautioned pastors to be aware of their shortcomings and exercise caution, emphasizing that self-control was essential to avoiding circumstances that would derail their calling.
As pastors, you have to be aware of your boundaries and actively direct yourself. To avoid succumbing to your vulnerabilities, you must make a covenant with yourself, he stated.
As pastors, you have to be aware of your boundaries and actively direct yourself. To avoid succumbing to your vulnerabilities, you must make a covenant with yourself, he stated.
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The church of Christ needs help
ReplyDeletePFN most step up to their responsibilities.
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