General Overseer of Grace Nation Worldwide Pastor Chris Okafor has spoken about what he described as a 58 day ordeal in which he was held blindfolded and in chains, as questions continue to trail his recent marriage and the legal threat issued by actress Doris Ogala.
Speaking during his wedding thanksgiving service on Sunday in Lagos, Pastor Okafor told his congregation that he was blindfolded for 58 consecutive days, with chains and fetters on his hands and wore only a boxer throughout the period.
He said the experience involved repeated exposure to armed confrontations.
According to him, the detention went beyond confinement.
He alleged that on three occasions, he and others, including a former Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly, were forced into the boot of an SUV and driven to police stations while gunfire erupted.
“They put us inside the boot of that small SUV they call Murano,” he said.
“Hands and legs blindfolded, and they will be exchanging fire with police people.”
Okafor said he was detained three different times under similar conditions and insisted his survival was not by human effort.
“If gun no fit kill me, poison no fit kill me, you think say na human being go fit kill me?” he asked.
Quoting scripture, he added, “He shall give His angels charge over me,” attributing his survival to divine protection.
The cleric did not give details of when the alleged incidents happened or name the agencies involved.
His account has drawn reactions online, with supporters accepting it as a testament to his faith, while others questioned the circumstances surrounding the claims.
His remarks come days after he married his partner, Pearl, in a private ceremony in Lekki, Lagos.
The wedding later sparked controversy following claims by actress Doris Ogala that the cleric failed to fulfil a marriage promise made to her.
Ms. Ogala, through her lawyers, issued a legal demand giving Okafor 21 days to pay N1 billion or face court action over what was described as a failed marriage promise linked to the end of an alleged nine-year relationship.
She accused the cleric of causing her emotional, reputational and psychological harm.
Addressing the backlash, Okafor said the criticism followed the small glimpse of his wedding that was made public.
He said, “Someday and at the right time, we will share our stories, but for now, we just want to give thanks to God. I’d like you to know. We prayed. We sought the face of the Lord. And the Lord gave us direction. And we followed it.”
He said there were reasons behind their decisions that would be explained later, adding that only he and his wife could tell their story.
Chris Okafor also said his father paid the dowry alone and that the families were present at the ceremony, insisting that certain matters were kept private until the right time.
“The people did not know because we don’t disclose until the time of maturity,” he said.
He thanked members of his church for their support and said he would continue to lead them, adding that he would not avoid responding to criticism.
“I want to say a big thank you to everyone. Whether you are happy, thank you. Whether you are still not delighted, thank you,” he said.
His wife, Pearl, also thanked the congregation for their support, saying she felt the love shown to them during and after the wedding.
The claims, alongside the unresolved dispute involving Doris Ogala, have continued to draw public attention.
