The founder of Mountain of Liberation and Miracles Ministries, Pastor Chris Okafor, on Tuesday presented himself at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, Lagos, after failing to honour an earlier police invitation.
Okafor reportedly arrived at the SCID on Tuesday afternoon, a day after he ignored a summons issued by the Lagos State Police Command directing him to appear for questioning on Monday. Sources said the cleric eventually complied after being cautioned by influential individuals about the consequences of disregarding a lawful police invitation.
His initial refusal to appear was said to be linked to an ongoing investigation involving him and his estranged lover, actress Doris Ogalla, at the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Zone 2 Command in Onikan. Okafor reportedly believed that the existence of a case at the zonal command meant he could disregard invitations from other police units.
A senior police officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Okafor’s statement was taken at the SCID but he was not detained because no formal complainant has yet come forward.
“His statement was taken, but he was not detained since there is no complainant yet. We have made attempts to reach out to the victims, even offered them protection and transportation to and from, but no one showed up,” the officer said.
The source added that because there is an ongoing investigation at Zone 2, where there is already a suspect and a complainant, the Lagos State Police Command would step back to allow the zonal command to conclude its inquiry.
“However, our offer to victims to come forward remains open. We are not dismissing the case, we are just standing down,” the officer added.
The Lagos State Police Command spokesperson, SP Abimbola Adebisi, confirmed that Okafor was at the SCID on Tuesday afternoon but declined to provide further details.
Okafor’s invitation by the Lagos police followed a wave of allegations levelled against him by several women, including claims of sexual misconduct, abuse of authority and other serious accusations circulating online.
The Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, had earlier ordered an investigation into the allegations as they gained public attention.
The controversy surrounding the pastor began weeks ago after Doris Ogalla publicly accused him of reneging on an alleged promise of marriage. The claims, accompanied by audio and video materials, triggered public outrage and calls for a thorough investigation.
Although Okafor initially denied the allegations, describing them as a plot by his enemies, he later admitted to some claims, apologised to his congregation and stepped aside as senior pastor of the church. He had married his new wife, Pearl, on December 16.
Ogalla has continued to make public allegations against the cleric, including claims of harassment, intimidation and attempted inducement to withdraw her accusations. She has since demanded N1 billion in damages through her lawyers, alleging violations of her rights following her arrest and detention by the police.
