Senior Pastor of Mountain of Liberation and Miracles Ministries, Chris Okafor, has failed to appear before the police following an invitation over allegations of multiple rape and other offences said to be capable of causing a breach of public peace.
The cleric was expected to report to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, to meet the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the SCID by 10:00 a.m. on Monday, but he did not show up.
In a statement released on Sunday, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Adebisi, disclosed that the Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, ordered a comprehensive investigation into the allegations after receiving several complaints involving alleged sexual offences and actions likely to disrupt public order.
A senior officer at the SCID, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed on Monday that Okafor did not honour the invitation. “After the CP’s directive on Sunday, the DCP immediately instructed the office handling such a case to debrief him, but they waited and did not see him. It is evening already, and he is obviously not coming here today.”
Another police source familiar with the matter revealed that the pastor allegedly reached out through intermediaries seeking more time. “We received calls from some people who appealed on his behalf, asking the police authorities to give him more time. They gave assurances that he would still show up. That is the information I have for now.”
The police had earlier stated that adequate security had been provided for the alleged victims and urged them to report to the SCID, Panti, where investigations are already underway. The command also assured that the identities of victims and witnesses would be kept confidential and protected throughout the investigation.
