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The founder of Mountain of Liberty and Miracle Ministry, Chris Okafor, has publicly retracted the apology he previously offered to actress Doris Ogala over her claims that they were involved in a secret relationship for seven years.
Speaking during a recent church service, the cleric addressed his congregation about the controversy, explaining that his earlier apology did not reflect an admission of wrongdoing. According to him, the decision to apologise was influenced by intense pressure from individuals he once considered close allies.
Okafor admitted that he was initially reluctant to take that step because he feared it would be interpreted as accepting allegations he insists are untrue. He suggested that those urging him to apologise did not fully consider the implications of such a move.
“You lose a fight to win a war. I was under immense pressure from certain people around me saying I should do different things. I said that what I am being asked to do is like accepting what I did not do. I realised I was greatly misunderstood,” he said.
The pastor clarified that his gesture of kneeling publicly was not directed at Ogala, contrary to widespread assumptions. Instead, he claimed his actions were meant to prevent senior religious leaders from being drawn into the dispute.
“Firstly, the reason why I apologised was that the fathers of faith were being dragged. And I did not want them to be dragged. Pastor Matthew and Bishop Abioye.
“There is no single apology to that person. There is no apology for what I did not do or for someone I have not met face to face. I was pressured by people I called friends, but who are not.
“I knelt down because of those fathers. Not because of any Jezebel anywhere.”
Okafor also disclosed that he has chosen to allow the legal system to address the matter moving forward. “We have chosen the right cause. And the right course will prevail,” he added, indicating confidence that due process will ultimately resolve the controversy.
The dispute between the cleric and the actress dates back to last year. It began shortly after news of Okafor’s engagement to Pearl Okafor became public. A video from the engagement ceremony circulated online, drawing attention and triggering a strong reaction from Ogala.
In a series of allegations, Ogala claimed that she and Okafor had been romantically involved since 2017. She alleged that their relationship was private and that he repeatedly promised to marry her. According to her, she even ended her previous marriage at his encouragement.
The actress further accused the pastor of betraying her trust by proceeding with his engagement and eventual marriage to Pearl. She demanded that he either formalise their alleged relationship through marriage or compensate her financially for what she described as emotional and personal damages.
As the conflict intensified, Ogala escalated her demand, seeking N1 billion in damages over an alleged breach of promise. She also made serious claims accusing Okafor of being complicit in the poisoning and death of her brother, an allegation that added another layer of gravity to the dispute.
Despite the mounting accusations and public backlash, Okafor went ahead with his wedding to Pearl in both traditional and white ceremonies. At the time, he dismissed the controversy, describing the backlash as “the devil’s anger” over his marital joy.
However, days later, he surprised many observers by publicly kneeling and offering an apology, acknowledging aspects of Ogala’s claims about a past relationship. That gesture was widely interpreted as confirmation of her allegations.
Now, with his latest statement, Okafor insists that the apology was misunderstood and that it was never meant as an admission of a romantic relationship. He maintains that his actions were driven by a desire to shield respected church leaders from being implicated in the controversy.
As both parties hold firm to their positions, the matter appears set to move into the legal arena, where further clarity may emerge. For now, Okafor’s retraction signals a new chapter in a highly publicised dispute that continues to generate debate across religious and entertainment circles.
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