Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
LAGOS, Nigeria — Senior pastor Chris Okafor of the Mountain of Liberation and Miracle Ministries, also known as Grace Nation Liberation City, has publicly apologised to Nollywood actress Doris Ogala and others in a dramatic church service that has ignited fresh debate across the country. The apology, delivered on Sunday, December 28, 2025, saw the cleric kneel before his congregation as he sought forgiveness for what he described as past mistakes linked to a now-public dispute with the actress.
The televised and widely shared video showed Okafor addressing church members and viewers, acknowledging that “mistakes have been made in the past” and tendering an apology “to everybody,” including Doris Ogala. While he insisted that “everything that was said is not true,” describing much of the controversy as containing “so many lies,” he nonetheless said he was “ready to make restitution to anyone … any lady I have offended.” He acknowledged his imperfections and asked for prayers and forgiveness from both the congregation and the public.
The public apology comes amid intense media and social media attention surrounding allegations made by Ogala against the pastor in recent weeks. The actress had accused Okafor of ending their relationship and subsequently marrying another woman — identified in reports as Pearl — despite allegedly promising to marry her. Ogala’s claims, which she has detailed publicly and through her legal team, include assertions of emotional distress, reputational harm and a broken marriage promise after what she described as a long-term relationship.
The dispute had previously led to a dramatic sequence of events involving Ogala’s arrest and subsequent release by police — including an initial arrest in Abuja shortly after being granted bail and later transfer to Lagos with charges reportedly linked to the fallout of the controversy. Intervention by civil rights activists resulted in her release on health grounds, and sources indicated that Okafor met with Ogala privately at the Zone 2 Police Command in Onikan, Lagos, where he reportedly appealed for peace.
In his apology, Okafor appeared to position the gesture as both personal and symbolic, kneeling before the congregation while asking for wide forgiveness. He stressed that while he did not agree that all allegations were accurate, he wished to make amends for any offence caused. “I’m kneeling down before everyone and before the church. Forgive me. You can judge me. Pray for me,” he said, reflecting a rare moment of public contrition from a prominent religious leader.
Actress Doris Ogala responded through social media and separate posts, indicating that she accepted the apology but took issue with Okafor’s claim that her allegations were lies. She wrote that while she forgave him, she stood by her stance and insisted that the record reflect her version of events. Some reports also noted that Ogala had previously issued legal demands against the cleric, including a N1 billion lawsuit over emotional and psychological harm alleged to have resulted from their relationship.
Social media and public reaction to the apology has been mixed, with some commentators praising what they saw as humility and accountability, while others criticised the pastor for framing his apology as general and disputing specific allegations even as he sought forgiveness. The episode has, in turn, fuelled broader discussions about relationships, power dynamics, accountability and public conduct among religious leaders and celebrities in Nigeria’s complex cultural and social landscape.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments