Senior Pastor of the Mountain of Liberation and Miracles Ministries, Chris Okafor, on Sunday, publicly apologised to Nollywood actress Doris Ogala, kneeling before his congregation as he sought forgiveness for what he described as past “mistakes” during a with relationship with the latter.
The apology came amid a heated public dispute that has played out extensively on social media in the last few weeks.
Ogala had accused the cleric of engaging in an affair with her, reneging on an alleged promise of marriage, sharing explicit content and offering her $10,000 to withdraw claims that she was hired by rival pastors to defame him.
Okafor has consistently denied the allegations.
But, in a viral video from his Sunday service, the pastor was seen at the pulpit, microphone in hand, addressing his congregation and reflecting on recent events, which he described as a difficult period in his life.
“The past two weeks has especially not been easy, but I can count on the grace of God and sustenance,” Okafor said.
“Many things have been put out there.”
He went on to speak at length about his personal history, recounting that he got married at a young age under family pressure following the death of his siblings, a decision he described as a foundational mistake.
“I got married when I was 22 or 23. I didn’t marry because I knew what marriage was all about. I was pressured to marry at that early age, and that was the first mistake that I made. That marriage was a wrong foundation; I didn’t know better,” he said.
Okafor also spoke about challenges in his first marriage, his early religious calling and struggles with forgiveness, which he said contributed to errors he had made over the years.
“I battled with unforgiveness for so many times and I made so many mistakes, and it is the result of those mistakes that you see today,” he added.
Turning to the controversy involving Ogala, the cleric said he would not engage further in public disputes but chose instead to apologise.
“Listen, we’re not joining issues. Mistakes have been made in the past, and I tender an apology to everybody,” Okafor said.
He directly mentioned the actress, stating, “I am sorry to everyone I have offended, to Doris Ogala also. I say sorry and apologise to everyone that I’ve offended.”
The pastor further expressed his readiness to make amends, saying, “I’m ready to make restitution to anyone, anybody, any lady I have offended. I am sorry. Forgive me.”
Acknowledging his imperfections, Okafor added, “I am not perfect. I’ve never been perfect.”
The cleric knelt before the church as he appealed for forgiveness.
“I’m kneeling down before everyone and before the church. Forgive me. You can judge me. Pray for me,” he said.
