Chris Okafor, a prominent televangelist and the founder of the Mountain of Liberation and Miracle Ministry, has publicly addressed accusations leveled against him by actress Doris Ogala. He questioned the rationale behind her claims, stating an incredulity that she would seek to marry him while simultaneously accusing him of such grave matters.
Speaking to reporters in Lagos on Thursday, Okafor responded to renewed allegations made by Ogala, which include accusations of a longstanding affair, the promise of marriage that was never fulfilled, and even claims regarding the death of her brother.
He remarked, "The individual who is accusing me of murder is also expressing a desire to wed me. How could she wish to marry someone she alleges killed her brother? This situation involves more complexities than is apparent, with many unanswered questions and obvious falsehoods."
Furthermore, Okafor dismissed the allegations as unfounded and spiteful, pointing to an ongoing pattern of cyberbullying against him facilitated by bloggers and social media influencers in search of online traffic.
"These accusations have emerged from a woman I have never even met. Moreover, my ex-wife has joined in, alleging that I made attempts to harm one of our daughters. Yet this same ex-wife and daughter sought help from a well-known blogger, requesting financial assistance amounting to about N80 million for their education and living expenses abroad. The same father reportedly trying to harm them? What mother would act this way?" he added.
Reflecting on the issue, Okafor mentioned that many Nigerians have faced reputational damage due to unverified claims that circulate online without repercussions for the perpetrators. He indicated that the situation escalated after a wedding planner mistakenly leaked details about his plans to remarry, inciting widespread speculation and what he characterized as a coordinated effort to profit from his personal life.
"All of this commenced following the leak by our wedding planner regarding my remarriage plans. After that revelation, chaos ensued as many attempted to exploit the situation. In my divorce proceedings from 2014 in an Ikeja court, the grounds cited included infidelity, violence, a lack of love, and irreconcilable differences as the reasons for the dissolution of the marriage."
"At no point in that process did my ex-wife accuse me of any inappropriate behavior toward our child, yet I was granted custody, and those accusations went unchallenged! If I can withstand these fabrications as a pastor, what can the average Nigerian do?"
In detailing his anguish, Okafor shared that the most distressing aspect of his media trial is the bullying he faces from various online personalities, who propagate allegations against him without seeking to hear his side of the story.
"It is disheartening that many of these so-called influencers collude to create sensationalized stories to draw attention to their blogs. Numerous Nigerians have endured and continue to endure the fallout from falsehoods disseminated by bloggers, with little accountability faced by these individuals. Rarely do any of these influencers face legal consequences; 90 percent of them go free after unleashing egregious lies about others. Nigeria must establish regulations to protect the integrity of its internet space and to prevent innocent citizens from suffering unjustly, thereby tarnishing their reputations."
Additionally, Okafor asserted the necessity for the National Assembly to pass laws that would establish regulations for online activity and ensure the punishment of those who commit offenses as a preventive measure for others.
He urged law enforcement agencies to intensify their efforts to track internet crimes and bring the offenders to justice. Reflecting on his struggles, Okafor lamented that many had failed to ask critical questions regarding the accusations against him.
He reassured both his congregation and Nigerians at large that the truth will ultimately emerge, affirming his commitment that justice will prevail and offenders will not evade consequences. "Throughout my 55 years of life, I have never been arrested for any crime or offense. It is distressing how far individuals will go to ruin others' lives," he concluded.
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