LAGOS, Nigeria – In a dramatic start to 2026, the Senior Pastor of the Mountain of Liberation and Miracles Ministries, Chris Okafor, has officially vacated his pulpit. The move follows a tidal wave of sexual assault, manipulation, and betrayal allegations that have rocked the Nigerian Christian community.
The Breaking Point
The embattled cleric announced his decision to step aside during the church’s New Year crossover service on Wednesday night. While Okafor framed the move as a “spiritual retreat” and a “honeymoon” period with his new bride, Pearl—whom he married on December 16, 2025—insiders reveal a different story.
Sources within the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) confirmed to Saturday PUNCHthat the body of Christ exerted intense “spiritual pressure” on Okafor to step down.
“When we saw the enormity of the allegations, and it was already looking like a criminal matter, we had to step in,” a senior PFN executive stated, noting that more disciplinary actions are expected before the end of January.
A Litany of Accusations
The scandal ignited just days before Okafor’s December wedding when actress Doris Ogala released viral videos accusing the pastor of a nine-year affair. Ogala alleged that Okafor promised her marriage, shared her explicit content, and even offered her $10,000 to frame a rival pastor for the accusations. She is currently seeking N1 billion in damages.
Since Ogala came forward, the floodgates have opened:
- Multiple Abortions: A former choir member identified as Ebere claimed she had four abortions for the pastor and eventually bore him a child.
- Incest Allegations: Social media activist VeryDarkMan shared an audio clip purportedly of the pastor’s daughter, Chidera, alleging that her father made sexual advances toward her, forcing her to flee their home in 2020.
- Former Wife Speaks: Okafor’s ex-wife, Bessem, joined the fray, citing years of infidelity and physical assault as the reason for their split 14 years ago.
- DNA Demands: Another woman recently surfaced claiming the pastor had relations with both her and her sister, resulting in children she insists require DNA verification.
Police Await Formal Petitions
Despite the public outcry, the Lagos State Police Command has yet to move against the cleric. Command spokesperson Abimbola Adebisi clarified that no formal petition has been filed by the alleged victims. “Anyone with a petition can come forward,” she stated, emphasizing that social media videos alone do not constitute a legal complaint.
Congregation Divided
While the PFN calls for government intervention in what they term a “criminal matter,” Okafor’s loyalists remain steadfast. Long-term members at the church’s Ojodu headquarters dismissed the claims as “blackmail” and “the handiwork of detractors” aimed at extorting the “Man of God.”
As Okafor begins his one-month “retreat,” the religious community watches closely to see if this is a temporary exit or the permanent fall of a liberation general.