The Senior Pastor of Mountain of Liberation and Miracles Ministries, Pastor Chris Okafor, has temporarily withdrawn from active pastoral leadership following intense public backlash and a wave of sexual misconduct allegations that have continued to gain traction online and within religious circles.
The decision comes weeks after the cleric publicly apologised during a church service to Nollywood actress Doris Ogala, whose accusations against him ignited widespread controversy. During the emotional service, Okafor knelt before the congregation, acknowledged making past “mistakes,” and asked for forgiveness, a moment that quickly went viral across social media platforms.
His apology, however, did little to calm public outrage, especially as it followed closely on the heels of his wedding to a new bride, identified simply as Pearl. The wedding ceremony, held on December 16, 2025, was reportedly attended by several prominent Christian leaders, further intensifying scrutiny surrounding the pastor’s private life.
The marriage took place despite Ogala’s public claims that Okafor had maintained a long-term intimate relationship with her, promised marriage on multiple occasions, and later abandoned those promises. According to the actress, the alleged relationship spanned several years and ended abruptly, leaving her emotionally distressed.
While the allegations have continued to dominate online discussions, members of Okafor’s church have largely rejected the claims, describing them as attempts by disgruntled individuals to discredit and extort their spiritual leader.
As more women came forward with similar allegations, respected figures within Nigeria’s Christian community reportedly began urging Pastor Okafor to step aside in order to reduce tension and protect the integrity of the church.
A senior official of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that internal pressure played a role in the pastor’s decision.
According to the source, discussions regarding possible disciplinary actions were slowed by the festive season, which made it difficult for church bodies to convene formal meetings.
“The period affected our ability to sit down properly and deliberate,” the official explained. “But due to the gravity of the allegations and the pressure from senior Christian leaders, he was asked to step aside for at least a month. Before the end of that period, more decisions will likely be taken.”
The official clarified that while PFN does not have the authority to investigate criminal allegations, it retains the ability to apply spiritual discipline and moral pressure where necessary.
“We are not a law enforcement agency,” the source said. “If there are allegations of rape or other criminal offences, those matters fall under the jurisdiction of the government and the police. PFN cannot arrest or prosecute anyone.”
However, the official added that the fellowship was engaging the situation quietly, stressing that Okafor’s decision to step down was not entirely voluntary but influenced by counsel from senior Christian leaders.
“When we saw the scale of the accusations and how they were escalating, we had to act responsibly. His stepping aside is part of that response,” the source said.
Addressing his congregation during the church’s New Year crossover service, Pastor Okafor offered a different explanation for his temporary withdrawal, describing it as a period of spiritual renewal rather than disciplinary action.
“I will be resting,” he told worshippers. “This is a time for retreat, prayer, and rest for myself and my wife.”
He explained that the demands of ministry and the recent wedding had left little room for personal reflection.“Since our wedding, we have not rested. We haven’t even had our honeymoon,” he said. “So from January, we will be stepping aside to pray, to retreat, and to return stronger from the presence of God.”
According to the pastor, the break would last until February, during which time he would not be entirely absent from church activities.
The controversy surrounding Pastor Okafor erupted on December 14, when actress Doris Ogala posted a series of emotional videos on her Instagram page. In the clips, she accused the cleric of engaging in a sexual relationship with her that allegedly began in 2017 and lasted nearly a decade.
Ogala claimed that Okafor repeatedly promised to marry her, only to eventually wed another woman in December 2025. She further alleged that the pastor shared her intimate photos and videos without consent and played a role in the collapse of her previous marriage.
The actress also accused him of causing emotional trauma and financial hardship. To support her claims, she shared screenshots of private conversations and bedroom photographs.In one of the videos, Ogala alleged that Okafor attempted to silence her by offering $10,000 to retract her statements and accuse a rival pastor of orchestrating the allegations.
Shortly after, her legal team reportedly issued a formal notice demanding ₦1 billion in damages, citing threats, intimidation, and her alleged arrest and detention by the police following her public outcry.More Women Come ForwardAs Ogala’s claims circulated widely, other women began to share similar experiences involving the pastor.
Among them was Bessem Okafor, who identified herself as the cleric’s former wife. In an interview with popular YouTuber Aunty Adunni, she accused Okafor of infidelity, deception, and physical abuse, stating that she left the marriage 14 years ago due to shame and emotional distress.
Another woman, identified as Ebere and described as a former member of the church choir, also came forward with allegations. She claimed her relationship with Okafor began around 2015 and lasted several years.
According to Ebere, the pastor allegedly promised her marriage multiple times. She further alleged that she had four abortions during the relationship and eventually gave birth to a child she claims belongs to the cleric.
Days later, another video surfaced on Instagram featuring a woman who accused Okafor of having sexual relations with both her and her sister, resulting in pregnancies. She called for DNA tests to confirm paternity and insisted she had evidence to support her claims.
Adding to the controversy, social media activist Martin Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, shared an audio recording in which a woman named Chidera Okafor claimed to be the pastor’s daughter. In the audio, she accused him of making inappropriate advances toward her, forcing her to flee their home in 2020.
Pastor Okafor dismissed the claim in a video response that went viral shortly afterward.Despite the volume of allegations circulating online, the Lagos State Police Command stated that it could not take action without a formal petition.
The command’s spokesperson, Abimbola Adebisi, said she was unaware of any official complaint filed against the pastor
.“If there is a petition, the department handling it would brief me,” she said. “Anyone with a complaint is free to come forward.”
When journalists visited the church headquarters in the Ojodu area of Lagos, officials declined to comment publicly on the matter. Some members, however, openly defended their pastor.
Ruben Alufe, a longtime church member of over 20 years, dismissed the allegations as malicious fabrications.
“Pastor Okafor is a good man of God,” he said. “People just want to blackmail him. I have known him closely for years, and I don’t believe these stories.”
Alufe also pointed to the pastor’s contributions to the local community, including infrastructure development, as evidence of his character.
Another elderly member described the timing of the accusations as suspicious, suggesting they were financially motivated.
“These things only started after his wedding,” the member said. “That tells you everything.”
A church pastor, who spoke anonymously, described the scandal as a spiritual test common to ministry.
“There is no pastor who does not face challenges,” he said. “When you move to another level, there will be opposition. I believe my pastor, and I leave judgment to God.”
Christian Leaders Call for Caution and AccountabilityReacting to the controversy, the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Lagos chapter, Bishop Stephen Adegbite, urged ministers to live by the values they preach.
“Judgment begins in the house of God,” he said, adding that some individuals who claim to be pastors may not be genuinely called.He stressed the importance of repentance and accountability, noting that genuine remorse could lead to restoration.
“If a pastor truly repents and makes restitution, his life can become a testimony,” Adegbite said.Similarly, Archbishop Osazee William, International Secretary of the Ecumenical Synods of Bishops and Clergy in London, cautioned against excessive public condemnation of pastors.
“Pastors are human beings,” he said. “Wrong is wrong, but the Scriptures also teach forgiveness.”While condemning misconduct, William urged ministers to be aware of their vulnerabilities and exercise discipline to avoid situations that could compromise their calling.
“As pastors, you must know your limits,” he said. “Self-discipline is essential.”
