The Senior Pastor of Mountain of Liberation and Miracles Ministries, Chris Okafor, has stepped aside from pastoral duties amid mounting public backlash over multiple allegations of sexual misconduct.
The development followed a dramatic church service last Sunday in which the cleric apologised publicly to actress Doris Ogala, kneeling on the pulpit and admitting to past “mistakes” while asking for forgiveness. The apology came shortly after his wedding to a new bride, identified as Pearl, on December 16, 2025, a ceremony attended by prominent Christian leaders.
Okafor reportedly went ahead with the wedding despite Ogala’s viral accusations of betrayal, emotional manipulation and failure to honour an alleged promise of marriage after a long-term relationship. While some church members dismissed the claims as attempts to blackmail their pastor, the allegations continued to gain traction on social media, with more women coming forward with similar accounts.
Pressure to step down
Sources told Saturday PUNCH that senior Christian leaders quietly mounted pressure on Okafor to temporarily step down in order to ease tensions. A senior official of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), who is close to the pastor, confirmed that respected figures within the Christian community intervened as the controversy escalated.
According to the source, deliberations within PFN were slowed by the festive period, making it difficult to convene formal meetings. However, the magnitude of the allegations prompted informal action.
“From the pressure of leaders in the body of Christ, he has stepped down for a month,” the official said. “Before the month ends, decisions would likely be taken.”
The PFN official stressed that while the fellowship does not have the authority to investigate criminal allegations or make arrests, it can apply spiritual discipline and moral pressure, leaving criminal matters to law enforcement agencies.
Pastor cites spiritual retreat
However, during the church’s New Year crossover service on Wednesday night, Okafor said his decision to step aside was based on divine instruction and the need for spiritual renewal.
“I will be resting. It is time for personal retreat with God and time for me and my wife to rest,” he told the congregation, adding that the break would last until February. He said the decision did not mean total withdrawal from church activities.
Allegations mount
The controversy began on December 14 when Ogala posted emotional videos on Instagram, alleging that she had been in a sexual relationship with the pastor since 2017. She accused him of repeatedly promising marriage before marrying another woman and alleged emotional, financial and reputational harm.
She also claimed the cleric shared explicit materials without her consent and later attempted to induce her silence with money. Through her lawyers, Ogala demanded ₦1bn in damages, citing threats and intimidation following her arrest and detention by the police.
Other women subsequently made similar accusations, including Okafor’s former wife, Bessem Okafor, who alleged infidelity, deception and physical abuse, and a former church choir member who accused him of a long-term secret relationship. Additional claims have since surfaced on social media, including allegations involving pregnancies and calls for DNA testing.
A social media activist also shared an audio recording in which a woman claiming to be the pastor’s daughter accused him of inappropriate advances — a claim Okafor has publicly denied.
Police, church members react
The Lagos State Police Command said it had not received any formal petition against the pastor. The command’s spokesperson, Abimbola Adebisi, said no investigation could commence without an official complaint.
When Saturday PUNCH visited the church headquarters in Ojodu, Lagos, officials declined to comment, while some long-time members strongly defended the pastor, describing the allegations as false, malicious and financially motivated.
One member, who said he had worshipped at the church for two decades, insisted the accusations were lies, citing Okafor’s contributions to the community. Another said the timing of the allegations raised doubts about their credibility.
A pastor in the church, speaking anonymously, described the situation as a spiritual trial common in ministry, insisting that his leader remained a “man of God.”
Christian leaders urge restraint
Reacting to the controversy, the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria in Lagos State, Bishop Stephen Adegbite, urged ministers to live by the values they preach, noting that accountability begins within the church.
He warned against self-appointed ministry and called on pastors to uphold godly standards, adding that repentance and restitution could open the door to forgiveness.
Similarly, Archbishop Osazee William of the Ecumenical Synods of Bishops, Archbishops, Apostles and Senior Clergy in London, cautioned against sensationalising allegations involving clergy, while emphasising that wrongdoing should not be excused.
He urged ministers to exercise self-discipline and be conscious of their personal vulnerabilities to avoid situations that could damage their calling and the wider church.