The Lagos Police Investigation into rape allegations against a popular cleric was paused due to jurisdictional issues and absent complainants, police explain.
The Lagos State Police Command has provided a detailed explanation on why it temporarily halted its probe into multiple rape and related allegations involving Chris Okafor, the founder of the Mountain of Liberation and Miracle Ministry.
The clarification follows public concern and intense media attention surrounding the case, which has continued to generate debate across religious, legal, and civil society circles.
According to the command, the decision to pause the Lagos Police Investigation was not an attempt to shield any individual but a procedural step taken in line with established policing protocols.
The case, which initially fell under the jurisdiction of the Lagos State Command, was later transferred to a higher police authority to ensure a more comprehensive and coordinated inquiry.
The matter first came to light after the Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Olohundare Jimoh, ordered that Mr. Okafor be invited for questioning.
Acting on the directive, officers asked the cleric to report to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) at Panti, Yaba.
His invitation and subsequent appearance were widely reported, fuelling speculation that the investigation would be swiftly concluded.
However, police authorities later disclosed that similar petitions and allegations against the cleric had already been submitted to the office of the Assistant Inspector-General of Police overseeing Zone 2.
As a result, the case was formally handed over to the Zone 2 Command, led by AIG Sylvester Alabi, for further investigation under the supervision of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
Explaining the development, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Adebisi, said the command could not continue with a parallel inquiry while a superior formation was already handling the same matter.
She noted that running two investigations simultaneously on identical allegations could compromise due process and lead to conflicting outcomes, hence the need to suspend the Lagos Police Investigation pending the conclusion of the Zone 2 probe.
Beyond jurisdictional concerns, the police also cited the lack of cooperation from complainants as a major setback.
Ms. Adebisi revealed that several individuals who were invited to make statements or provide supporting evidence failed to honour police invitations.
Despite repeated efforts, their absence made it difficult for investigators to substantiate the allegations at the state command level.
She explained that law enforcement agencies rely heavily on the willingness of complainants to participate actively in investigations.
Without formal statements and evidence, progressing any sensitive criminal case becomes challenging.
As such, the command decided not to compel or harass the complainants, choosing instead to await developments from the Zone 2 Command before resuming the Lagos Police Investigation.
The police spokesperson further confirmed that Mr. Okafor was released on self-recognition after his initial appearance.
He was instructed to proceed to Zone 2 Headquarters, where he is expected to continue cooperating with investigators handling the broader case.
The Lagos Command, she added, would study the outcome of the Zone 2 investigation to determine its next line of action.
Public attention on the cleric intensified in December 2025 after Nollywood actress Doris Ogala accused him of reneging on an alleged promise of marriage.
She claimed the situation caused her emotional trauma, sparking widespread reactions on social media and in the entertainment industry.
Although her claims were not framed strictly as criminal allegations at first, they opened the door to further accusations from other quarters.
As the controversy grew, Mr. Okafor issued a public apology to Ms. Ogala and other women he admitted to having hurt in the past.
At the same time, he accused his former wife, Bessem, of marital infidelity.
Bessem denied the allegation and countered with claims that she suffered physical abuse during their marriage, further complicating the narrative and drawing renewed calls for accountability.
Civil society groups and members of the public have since urged the police to ensure transparency and thoroughness in handling the matter.
Many argue that cases involving influential religious figures require extra care to maintain public trust in the justice system.
In response, the police have reiterated their commitment to professionalism, stressing that the Lagos Police Investigation remains open and will be revisited once jurisdictional processes are concluded.
Amid the legal and public scrutiny, Mr. Okafor announced that he would step aside from his ministerial duties for one month.
He described the decision as a period of reflection and cooperation with authorities, although opinions remain divided on whether the move was sufficient.
For now, the Lagos State Police Command maintains that it is guided strictly by due process.
The command insists that once the Zone 2 investigation is completed, it will review the findings and decide whether to reopen or expand its own inquiry, ensuring that justice is pursued without fear or favour.
Ireport247news
