Chris Okafor Fails to Honour Police Invitation

Pastor Chris Okafor, founder of Mountain of Liberation and Miracles Ministries, did not appear before police investigators on Monday despite a formal invitation issued by the Lagos State Police Command.

A letter dated January 3 directed Okafor to report to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, Yaba, for questioning on or before 10am. However, as of 7pm on the scheduled day, detectives confirmed that the cleric had not shown up.

Police officers at the SCID said they were still expecting him, noting that the command operates round the clock. A senior officer said it was too early to conclude that Okafor had deliberately ignored the invitation.

The investigation follows multiple allegations against the preacher, including sexual misconduct, abuse of authority, conduct likely to cause a breach of peace, and alleged murder. The accusations were made by several women, including his daughter, former partners, and members of his church.

Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, ordered a probe after the allegations gained traction online and drew public attention.

The controversy escalated weeks ago after Nollywood actress Doris Ogalla accused Okafor of reneging on a marriage promise and other misconduct. The claims, accompanied by audio and video materials circulated on social media, sparked widespread public outrage and calls for a criminal investigation.

Okafor, who married a woman identified as Pearl on December 16, initially dismissed the allegations as false but later admitted to some of them. He issued a public apology to his congregation and announced his decision to step aside as senior pastor of the church.

Among those who have accused him are his daughter, who alleged sexual assault; a Cameroonian ex-wife, who claimed they have four children together; and several female church members, including three siblings who alleged they were manipulated and impregnated.

The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Adebisi, confirmed that the commissioner directed the SCID to invite Okafor and also summon the alleged victims.

She said the police are reviewing allegations of murder linked to materials circulating online, while urging alleged victims of sexual assault to make formal complaints. According to her, the police cannot proceed with rape investigations without complainants.

Ogalla has continued to press her claims, alleging that Okafor shared her nude images, coerced her into leaving her previous marriage, and was linked to the death of her younger brother. She also alleged that the pastor offered her $10,000 to withdraw her accusations and implicate another cleric.

Through her lawyers, Ogalla later demanded N1 billion in damages, citing threats and intimidation following her arrest and detention.

As of the time of filing this report, the police had not issued an official statement on Okafor’s failure to honour the invitation.