The Senior Pastor of the Mountain of Liberation and Miracles Ministries, Chris Okafor, has stepped aside from active pastoral duties following growing public outrage over multiple allegations of sexual misconduct levelled against him.
The cleric’s decision comes weeks after a Nollywood actress, Doris Ogala, accused him of betrayal, emotional manipulation and reneging on a promise of marriage after what she described as a long-term relationship. Okafor had last Sunday publicly apologised to the actress during a church service, where he knelt on the pulpit, admitted to past “mistakes” and asked for forgiveness.
The controversy intensified after the pastor’s wedding to a new bride, identified simply as Pearl, on December 16, 2025. The ceremony, attended by prominent Christian leaders, reportedly went ahead despite Ogala’s accusations, which had already gained widespread traction on social media.
Although several members of the church have dismissed the claims as attempts to blackmail their “man of God,” pressure mounted within the Christian community as more women came forward with similar allegations. It was gathered that respected Christian leaders intervened, urging Okafor to step aside in order to reduce tension and protect the integrity of the church.
A senior executive of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the pastor’s decision followed sustained pressure from leaders within the Christian fold.
“There are more things to be done in terms of disciplinary actions,” the official said, explaining that the festive period delayed formal deliberations within the PFN. “He has stepped down for a month, and I believe that before the month ends, some decisions would have been made concerning him.”
The PFN official clarified that the fellowship does not have the statutory authority to investigate criminal allegations, stressing that such matters fall under the jurisdiction of law enforcement agencies.
“If there is an allegation of rape against a pastor, it is not the PFN that should investigate it. This is a criminal case, and the government should step in,” the source said, adding that the PFN’s role is limited to moral pressure and spiritual discipline.
However, Okafor offered a different explanation during his New Year crossover service on Wednesday night, insisting that his decision was based on spiritual considerations rather than external pressure.
“I will be resting. It would be time for personal retreat with God and time for me and my wife to rest,” he told the congregation, noting that the break would last until February. He added that the decision did not mean he would be completely absent from church activities.
The allegations against the cleric began on December 14, when Ogala released a series of emotional videos on Instagram accusing him of maintaining a sexual relationship with her between 2017 and 2025. She alleged that the pastor repeatedly promised to marry her, shared explicit images without her consent and contributed to the breakdown of her previous marriage, causing emotional trauma and financial loss.
She later issued a legal demand for ₦1bn in damages, alleging intimidation after her arrest and detention by the police. The actress also claimed that the pastor offered her $10,000 to retract her allegations and accuse a rival cleric of orchestrating the claims.
As the scandal escalated, other women made separate allegations against Okafor, including claims of infidelity, manipulation and abuse. His former wife, Bessem Okafor, accused him of deception, repeated infidelity and physical assault, while another woman, identified as Ebere, claimed she had a long-term relationship with the pastor that allegedly resulted in abortions and a child.
Additional allegations surfaced online, including claims by another woman who alleged sexual relationships involving herself and her sister, resulting in pregnancies, and a viral audio shared by social media activist Martin Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, in which a woman identifying herself as Chidera Okafor claimed the pastor made inappropriate advances toward her. Okafor has denied the latter allegation.
The Lagos State Police Command has said it cannot arrest the pastor in the absence of a formal petition from any of the alleged victims. The command’s spokesperson, Abimbola Adebisi, said no official complaint had been lodged against the cleric despite the widespread allegations on social media.
