Senior Pastor of Mountain of Liberation and Miracles Ministries Chris Okafor has failed to honour an invitation from the Lagos State Police Command on Monday, over allegations of multiple rape and other offences.
The police had, in a statement issued on Sunday, January 4, announced that Okafor was invited to appear before the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, by 10:00 a.m. on Monday.
The statement, signed by the command’s spokesperson, Abimbola Adebisi, said the invitation followed several complaints bordering on alleged sexual offences and other acts capable of causing a breach of public peace.
According to police sources, Pastor Okafor did not appear at the SCID as scheduled and was still absent as of the evening of Monday.
An officer at the SCID, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the cleric did not report at the appointed time.
“Following the Commissioner of Police’s directive, the Deputy Commissioner of Police asked the unit handling the case to debrief him, but he did not appear. As of the evening, he had not shown up,” the officer said.
Another source familiar with the matter said Okafor allegedly sent representatives to request additional time.
“We received calls from his aides asking for an extension and assuring authorities that he would report later,” the source said.
The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, had directed the SCID to investigate complaints lodged against the cleric and to invite him for questioning.
The allegations against Okafor include claims of sexual misconduct, abuse of authority, conduct likely to cause a breach of peace and alleged murder, raised by multiple individuals, including women said to be members of his church and former partners.
Actress Doris Ogalla had earlier accused Okafor of sharing her nude photographs and videos, interfering in her marriage and causing the death of her younger brother, among other claims.
She has also alleged that the cleric offered her money to withdraw her allegations.
Ms. Ogalla has since issued a legal notice demanding N1 billion in damages, citing threats and intimidation following her arrest and detention by the police.
Adebisi had stated that the police were also probing allegations of murder circulating on social media, while urging individuals with claims of sexual assault to come forward and make formal complaints.
As of the time of filing this report, the Lagos State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement on Chris Okafor’s failure to honour the invitation.
