Pastor Chris Okafor, founder of Mountain of Liberation and Miracle Ministries, also known as Grace Nation Liberation City, has publicly apologised to Nollywood actress Doris Ogala after a series of events that sparked public outrage and police involvement.
The apology followed days of intense controversy linked to the actress’s arrest, re-arrest, and eventual release by the Nigeria Police.
The development has kept the entertainment and religious circles busy, drawing widespread reactions across the country.
During a live broadcast monitored by POLITICS NIGERIA which circulated widely on social media on Sunday, the cleric admitted that mistakes had been made and offered a public apology, while also distancing himself from several allegations made against him.
“Listen, we’re not joining issues. Mistakes have been made in the past. And I tender apology to everybody,” Okafor said.
Despite the apology, the pastor insisted that many of the claims against him were untrue.
“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.
He, however, went ahead to directly apologise to the actress and others he said may have been affected by his actions.
“But be it. I say I am sorry to everyone I have offended. To Doris Ogala, I also say sorry,” he added.
Okafor also expressed willingness to take responsibility and correct any wrongs.
“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 further described the apology as deliberate and symbolic, stressing humility and accountability.
“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.
“I’m kneeling down before everyone. And before the church.”
The public apology came amid reports surrounding Ogala’s arrest in Abuja shortly after she was granted bail, before she was flown to Lagos by officers attached to the Zone 2 Command.
The situation reportedly worsened when her lawyer attempted to document police actions, leading to an alleged confrontation and the confiscation of his mobile phones.
The actress was later released in Lagos following intervention by a civil rights activist, who stood as her surety.
It was also gathered that Pastor Okafor later met with Ogala at the Zone 2 Police Command in Onikan, Lagos, where he appealed for peace during a closed-door meeting.
Sources familiar with the meeting disclosed that the cleric knelt and pleaded with the actress, after which the police granted her release on health grounds.
The dispute between both parties reportedly stemmed from claims by the actress that the pastor reneged on an alleged promise to marry her.
Through her legal representatives, Ogala demanded N1 billion in damages, citing emotional trauma, reputational damage, and financial losses.
She alleged that the relationship, said to have begun in 2017, involved repeated assurances of marriage, family introductions, and major financial dealings, including a N45 million transfer.
