Controversial General Overseer of the Mountain of Liberation and Miracles Ministries, Pastor Chris Okafor, on Tuesday reported to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Panti, Yaba, after failing to respond to an earlier police invitation on Monday.
The cleric’s appearance came after warnings from influential individuals who cautioned him on the implications of defying a lawful summons.
The ongoing investigation centres on a case between Okafor and his estranged lover, actress Doris Ogalla, currently being handled by the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), Zone 2 Command, Onikan.
Sources told The Nation that Okafor had initially dismissed the invitation on the assumption that the case was already being addressed at the zonal level, where he was the complainant and Ogalla the suspect.
“But some highly placed persons read the news that he shunned the police invitation and warned him about the implications. That’s why he presented himself at the SCID in Yaba for questioning,” a senior officer revealed.
The source confirmed that Okafor’s statement was taken during the Tuesday visit, but he was not detained due to the absence of a formal complainant at the Lagos Command.
The officer said, “We have made attempts to reach out to the victims, even offered them protection and transportation to and from, but no one showed up.
“Since there is already an investigation ongoing at Zone 2, where there is a suspect and a complainant, the Lagos Police Command will stand down to allow Zone 2 conclude their investigation.”
However, police authorities maintained that the case remains open and encouraged victims to come forward.
The Lagos State Police Command had invited Okafor via a letter dated January 3, directing him to present himself on or before 10 a.m. Monday.
Following a slew of allegations, ranging from sexual impropriety, abuse of spiritual authority, to alleged complicity in murder, Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh, ordered a thorough probe.
The allegations against Okafor gained public attention after Doris Ogalla publicly accused him of reneging on a marriage promise and released video and audio clips as alleged evidence. The scandal quickly escalated online, prompting widespread outrage.
Among Okafor’s accusers are his Cameroonian ex-wife, who claims to have had four children with him, and multiple women from his church, including three sisters who alleged they were hypnotised and impregnated by the pastor.
Ogalla further accused him of sharing her nude images, breaking up her previous marriage, and indirectly causing the death of her brother. She also alleged that Okafor offered her $10,000 to retract her statements and blame the scandal on a rival pastor, an offer she said she rejected.
She has since filed a ₦1 billion lawsuit, alleging intimidation and threats following her brief detention by police.
After initially describing the allegations as a smear campaign orchestrated by enemies, Okafor later admitted to some claims and publicly apologised to his congregation. He also announced his decision to temporarily step down as senior pastor.
