Pasto Okafor: Details Emerge as Police Pause Probe of Cleric over Murder, Assault Allegations

• The Lagos Command has deferred to the Zone 2 Command, which is now conducting a higher-level investigation of Okafor under the direct purview of the IGP
• Chris Okafor was released on personal recognition to allow him to cooperate with the ongoing federal-monitored probe
• Despite the public furor, many of the alleged victims and complainants who were invited for questioning have reportedly refused to show up
• A public commentator, Sam Dede, urged the Nigerian police not to erode the confidence of the public in the case

The Lagos State Police Command said it has paused its investigation into sexual assault and murder allegations leveled against Pastor Chris Okafor, founder of the Mountain of Liberation and Miracle Ministries.

This comes after the Inspector General of Police (IGP) ordered a separate, higher-level probe currently being handled by Zone 2 Command under Abuja’s supervision.

Lagos police spokesperson Abimbola Adebisi confirmed on Thursday, January 15, that the state command is stepping aside temporarily, reports TheCable.

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According to her, the development became necessary after discovering that the same allegations had already been petitioned at higher police levels.

Why Lagos police stopped its probe of Okafor

According to the publication, Adebisi explained that the Lagos State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, had initially begun work on the allegations after Commissioner Olohundare Jimoh directed them to move in.

The case gained national attention when an anonymous individual claimed online that they had been hired by the pastor to carry out killings—an allegation that prompted widespread calls for investigation.

In response, Lagos police also placed alleged victims under protective security.

But the update from the command suggests new complications.

“All the complainants we have been calling on have refused to show up,” Adebisi told stated.

According to her, the CP has now ordered a temporary halt:

“When Zone 2 is done, we will reopen ours. For now, we are not pressing further. We are not pushing the complainants.”

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Okafor released on self-recognition

One day after an arrest warrant was issued earlier this month, Chris Okafor voluntarily turned himself in.

However, with the matter already before the office of the inspector general of police, the Lagos command confirmed that the cleric was released on personal recognition so he could continue engaging with Zone 2 investigators.

Adebisi clarified that running two investigations simultaneously would be improper:

“It cannot be done at the same time. The matter is already with Zone 2 under the IGP.”

The accusations against Okafor reignited earlier claims made by Nollywood actress Doris Ogala.

She had, in the past, publicly accused Okafor of having a hand in her brother’s death through poisoning—an allegation that also drew significant public interest.

The new claims from the unnamed individual, who claimed to be hiding in Port Harcourt, escalated the situation and prompted the police’s initial swift action.

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Dede calls on police to be just

A public commentator, Sam Dede, urged the Nigerian police not to erode the confidence of the public in the case.

This latest twist in the Chris Okafor case shows just how complex and sensitive the allegations have become. When a state command has to step aside for a higher-level investigation, it signals that the matter is bigger than local policing and requires deeper scrutiny. For Nigerians watching, the most important thing now is transparency, the authorities must handle the case thoroughly and without favoritism, because public trust depends on it.

Pastor Chris: Izzy Ogbeide blasts Doris Ogala

Meanwhile, Legit.ng had reported that Izzy Ogbeide had reacted to the video of Doris Ogala, where the actress shared her plight after news surfaced that her alleged former lover was getting married.

In the recording, Izzy Ogbeide blasted that actress and claimed that she was allegedly having mental issues.

The content creator added that her family were supposed to flog her over her utterance and attitude. She dished out advice on what the actress can do with her life instead of crying about the cleric.

Proofreading by Kola Muhammed, copy editor at Legit.ng.

Source: Legit.ng