PASTOR CHRIS OKAFOR STEPS ASIDE AMID SEXUAL ALLEGATIONS, SAYS DECISION IS FOR SPIRITUAL RENEWAL
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
The Senior Pastor of the Mountain of Liberation and Miracles Ministries, Pastor Chris Okafor, has stepped down temporarily from active pastoral duties following mounting public outrage over multiple allegations of sexual misconduct against him.
The development comes days after the cleric publicly apologised to Nollywood actress Doris Ogala during a church service, where he knelt on the pulpit, admitted to past “mistakes,” and sought forgiveness from the congregation. His decision to step aside also follows his wedding to a new bride, identified as Pearl, on December 16, 2025, an event attended by prominent clerics.
Sources within the Christian community disclosed that respected church leaders mounted pressure on Okafor to withdraw from the pulpit to douse rising tension as allegations against him continued to spread on social media, with more women coming forward with varying claims.
A senior executive of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the pastor’s decision was influenced by pressure from senior Christian leaders. The official said Okafor had been asked to step aside for one month, pending further deliberations, adding that the festive season had slowed down formal meetings on possible disciplinary actions.
The PFN official clarified that the fellowship was not a law enforcement body and could not investigate criminal allegations such as rape, stressing that such matters fall within the purview of government authorities. He noted, however, that the church could apply spiritual discipline and moral pressure, which contributed to Okafor’s decision to step down.
Despite the pressure narrative, Okafor, during his sermon at the church’s New Year crossover service, said he stepped aside based on divine instruction and for personal spiritual renewal. He told his congregation that the break would allow him and his wife to rest, pray, and embark on a personal retreat, noting that they had not rested since their wedding. He said the break would last until February, although he would not be completely absent from church activities.
The controversy surrounding the pastor began on December 14, 2025, when actress Doris Ogala released emotional videos on Instagram accusing him of a long-term sexual relationship that allegedly began in 2017 and lasted nine years. She claimed the pastor repeatedly promised to marry her before eventually marrying another woman. Ogala also accused him of emotional manipulation, sharing explicit materials, and contributing to the collapse of her previous marriage.
She further alleged that the pastor attempted to induce her to retract her claims with a $10,000 payment and later demanded N1bn in damages through a legal notice, citing threats and intimidation following her arrest and detention by the police.
As the scandal widened, other women, including Okafor’s former wife, Bessem Okafor, and a former choir member identified as Ebere, also accused the cleric of infidelity, manipulation, and sexual relationships. Ebere alleged she had multiple abortions for the pastor and later bore him a child after he repeatedly promised marriage. Additional allegations surfaced from other women, including claims involving pregnancies and calls for DNA tests.
A social media activist, Martin Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, also shared an audio recording in which a woman, Chidera Okafor, who claimed to be the pastor’s daughter, accused him of making inappropriate advances towards her. The pastor has publicly denied the allegation.
The Lagos State Police Command, however, said it could not take action against Okafor in the absence of a formal petition. The command’s spokesperson, Abimbola Adebisi, stated that no official complaint had been lodged despite the widespread allegations online.
Meanwhile, members of Okafor’s church have rallied behind him. Some long-standing congregants dismissed the allegations as blackmail and extortion attempts by detractors, describing the pastor as a man of integrity who had contributed significantly to the community. A pastor in the church also described the scandal as part of the spiritual challenges faced by ministers.
Reacting to the controversy, the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Lagos chapter, Bishop Stephen Adegbite, urged ministers to live by the messages they preach and warned that judgment would begin in the house of God. He noted that genuine repentance could open the door for restoration but stressed the need for godly conduct and accountability.
Other Christian leaders also weighed in, urging balance, discipline, and forgiveness, while cautioning ministers to be conscious of their weaknesses to avoid actions that could bring disrepute to the church.
As of now, no criminal charges have been filed against Pastor Okafor, while discussions within church bodies and the wider Christian community continue amid intense public scrutiny.
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