The Lagos State Police Command has summoned the Senior Pastor of Mountain of Liberation and Miracles Ministries, Chris Okafor, to report at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, over allegations of multiple rape, sexual offences and other acts capable of triggering a breakdown of public peace.
The police said the cleric was formally served with an invitation letter and is expected to appear before the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the SCID by 10am on Monday.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Adebisi, said the Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, ordered a comprehensive investigation into the allegations trailing the pastor.
According to the police, the invitation followed multiple complaints bordering on alleged sexual crimes and other actions deemed capable of destabilising public order.
“The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Olohundare Jimoh, has directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department (DC SCID) to carry out a thorough investigation into the several criminal allegations against Pastor Chris Okafor,” Adebisi said.
“The Pastor has been duly served with an invitation letter through his legal representative and is expected to cooperate fully with the Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, in the ongoing investigation into the allegations of capital offences and other serious crimes against him.”
The police disclosed that Okafor was served through his legal representative and warned that he must fully cooperate with investigators at Panti, where probes into what the command described as “capital offences and other serious crimes” have commenced.
The command said adequate security had been provided for alleged victims and urged them to come forward to give statements, assuring that their identities would be kept strictly confidential and protected throughout the investigation.
It said, “CP Olohundare Jimoh has directed immediate full security coverage and protection for his victims and hereby encourages them to feel free to come out and report at the Criminal Investigation Department, Panti where the investigation into the alleged criminal atrocities against the Pastor has commenced.
“The identity of the victims will be absolutely kept confidential and will be protected. Any person(s) or individuals who may have fallen victim are further implored to come forward to report their complaints in the hands of the alleged Pastor.
“Any person or persons who have credible information or evidence relevant to the investigation are also encouraged to come forward without fear or apprehension to assist the Police in the investigation of the cases against him.
“Such persons may wish to get across to the SCID through the Police Public Relations Department at the Lagos State Police Command or can go directly to the SCID.”
Members of the public with credible information or evidence were also called upon to assist the police through the SCID or the Police Public Relations Department.
Reiterating its stance, the command stressed that no individual would be shielded because of status, influence or religious standing.
“The Commissioner of Police further reiterates and assures members of the public that the identities of all victims and witnesses will be adequately protected, and that the investigation will be conducted in a professional, transparent, and unbiased manner, in line with the laws of the land.
“The Lagos State Police Command is committed to maintaining law and order, public peace, safety, and ensuring that all allegations of criminal acts against anyone, no matter how highly placed or lowly placed, are discreetly investigated according to law, regardless of the status of the individuals involved, and no sentiment will be allowed to prevail. Justice must prevail in the whole episode,” the statement added.
Background
Okafor publicly apologized to Nollywood actress Doris Ogala after days of controversy surrounding a marriage dispute that led to her arrest and subsequent release by the Nigeria Police.
Okafor issued the apology during a church service, where he acknowledged wrongdoing while disputing several allegations made against him.
“Listen, we’re not joining issues. Mistakes have been made in the past. And I tender apology to everybody,” the cleric said.
While apologising, Okafor maintained that the accusations levelled against him were false.
“But everything that was said is not true. Everything, take note, everything that was said was never true. There are so many lies in most of the things that were said,” he stated.
Despite this, the pastor directly addressed Ogala and others he said he had offended.
“But be it. I say I am sorry to everyone I have offended. To Doris Ogala, I also say sorry,” Okafor said.
He added that he was prepared to make amends.
“And I apologize to everyone that I have offended. And once again, I repeat this. I’m ready to make restitution to anyone,” he said.
The cleric went further to describe his apology as both personal and public.
“And anybody, any lady, anywhere, or man I have offended, I am sorry. Forgive me. I am not perfect. I’ve never been perfect,” he said, adding, “I’m kneeling down before everyone. And before the church.”
The apology comes against the backdrop of Ogala’s dramatic arrest and release, which SaharaReporters previously reported.
The actress was recently rearrested in Abuja shortly after being granted bail and was later flown to Lagos by officers from the Zone 2 Command.
Sources told SaharaReporters that the incident escalated when Ogala’s lawyer, Marshal Abubakar, attempted to record police actions, leading to an alleged assault on him and the seizure of his phones.
Following intervention by a Take It Back Movement coordinator, Jamiu Towolawi, also known as Jharmo, Ogala was released in Lagos last Monday.
SaharaReporters learned that Okafor later met with the actress at the Zone 2 Command in Onikan, where he appealed for peace and reconciliation.
A source had told SaharaReporters that the pastor “fell flat on his knees and begged” Ogala during a closed-door meeting that lasted nearly an hour, after which the police released her on “health grounds,” with Towolawi serving as surety.
The dispute between Ogala and Okafor began after the actress accused the cleric of breaching an alleged promise to marry her.
Through her lawyers, Synergy Law Partners, Ogala demanded N1 billion in damages, citing emotional distress, reputational harm and financial loss.
She had alleged that the relationship, which reportedly began in 2017, involved assurances of marriage, introductions to family members and significant financial transactions, including a N45 million transfer.
