LAGOS: The Senior Pastor of the Mountain of Liberation and Miracles Ministries, Chris Okafor, has stepped down from pastoral duties following mounting allegations of sexual misconduct involving multiple women.
The decision comes amid intense public scrutiny and pressure from Christian leaders, even as the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) weighs possible disciplinary measures against the cleric.
Last Sunday, Okafor publicly apologised to Nollywood actress Doris Ogala during a church service, kneeling on the pulpit as he admitted to past mistakes and sought forgiveness.
The apology followed Ogala’s viral accusations of emotional manipulation, sexual involvement and betrayal, after the pastor married another woman, identified as Pearl, on December 16, 2025.
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Despite the controversy, several church members dismissed the allegations as false and motivated by extortion attempts.
Sources told Rapidospace News that respected Christian leaders urged Okafor to temporarily step aside to ease growing tension as more women made allegations on social media.
A senior PFN official confirmed that the pastor had agreed to step down for one month, explaining that the festive season delayed formal meetings on the matter.
There are more actions to be taken. His stepping down is part of the spiritual discipline being applied, the official said, adding that PFN does not have the statutory powers to investigate criminal allegations such as rape, which fall under the jurisdiction of law enforcement agencies.
The official noted that while PFN was engaging the issue quietly, any internal action should not be mistaken for a criminal investigation.
Speaking during the church’s New Year crossover service, Okafor said his decision was based on spiritual instruction and the need for rest and renewal.
I will be resting for personal retreat with God and time with my wife. Since our wedding, we have not even had a honeymoon, he said, adding that the break would last until February.
The controversy began on December 14 when Ogala released emotional videos alleging a nine-year sexual relationship with the pastor, which she said started in 2017.
She accused him of promising marriage, sharing explicit content, contributing to the collapse of her previous marriage, and causing emotional and financial distress.
She later demanded ₦1bn in damages, alleging threats and intimidation following her arrest and detention.
Other women, including Okafor’s former wife, Bessem Okafor, and a former church choir member identified as Ebere, also accused the cleric of infidelity, manipulation, physical assault and secret relationships, with claims of pregnancies and abortions.
More allegations surfaced online, including claims involving multiple pregnancies and calls for DNA testing. A woman who claimed to be the pastor’s daughter also alleged inappropriate advances, though Okafor denied the claim in a viral video.
The Lagos State Police Command said it could not act on the matter as no formal petition had been submitted.
If anyone has a petition, they should come forward,” the police spokesperson, Abimbola Adebisi, said.
During visits to the church headquarters in Ojodu, Lagos, some members described the allegations as blackmail and malicious attacks.
One long-standing member, Ruben Alufe, insisted the accusations were false, citing Okafor’s contributions to the community. Other members and pastors urged caution, describing the controversy as part of the spiritual challenges of ministry.
The Lagos State Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Bishop Stephen Adegbite, advised ministers to uphold moral discipline, noting that judgment begins in the house of God.
While stressing accountability, Adegbite said genuine repentance could allow for restoration. Other Christian leaders also called for restraint, warning against turning such matters into public spectacles while urging pastors to guard against personal weaknesses.
