Scandal: Pastor Chris Okafor steps down, PFN to decide next move

Pastor Chris Okafor, the Senior Pastor of the Mountain of Liberation and Miracles Ministries, has stepped down from pastoral duties amid mounting pressure from leaders within the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria over allegations of sexual misconduct levelled against him.

The decision followed weeks of intense public scrutiny after Nollywood actress Doris Ogala accused the cleric of maintaining a long-term sexual relationship with her, allegedly spanning several years, and reneging on repeated promises of marriage before marrying another woman in December 2025.

Okafor had last Sunday publicly apologised during a church service, where he knelt on the pulpit and admitted to past “mistakes,” seeking forgiveness from members of the congregation.

Respected figures within the Christian community quietly urged the pastor to step aside to reduce tension as the allegations continued to spread on social media, with more women reportedly making similar claims.

According to the Punch, a senior official of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the pastor’s decision to step down was influenced by pressure from church leaders, adding that further disciplinary steps were being considered.

“There are more things to be done in terms of disciplinary actions,” the official said, explaining that formal deliberations had been delayed by the festive period, which made it difficult to convene meetings.

The source clarified that while the PFN does not have the authority to investigate criminal allegations, it could apply internal disciplinary measures within the Christian body.

“If there are criminal allegations, the police and other government agencies should handle that. PFN is not a law enforcement body. What we can do is apply spiritual discipline and take necessary actions within the church,” the official stated.

According to the source, Okafor has stepped down for one month, during which the PFN is expected to reach a decision on the next line of action.

However, the pastor told members of his church during the New Year crossover service that his decision was based on spiritual reasons rather than external pressure.

“I will be resting. It is time for personal retreat with God and time for me and my wife to rest,” Okafor said, adding that the break would last until February.

The allegations against the cleric first surfaced on December 14, when Ogala posted emotional videos on her social media pages, accusing the pastor of engaging in a sexual relationship with her from 2017 and making repeated promises of marriage.

She also alleged that Okafor shared her private photos and videos and later offered her $10,000 to retract her statements and claim that the accusations were sponsored by a rival pastor.