As pressure mounts on Lagos pastor Chris Okafor, some of his church members have defended him.
Nollywood actress, Doris Ogala, first mounted allegations of adultery and refusal to honour an alleged promise to marry her against the Mountain of Liberation and Miracles Ministries founder.
Other women, including Okafor’s estranged wife, have launched similar accusation.
But on of his chuerch members, Ruben Atufe, said those behind allegations against the cleric are fraudsters otherwise called 419.
‘The PUNCH’ quotes Atufe as saying: “Pastor Okafor is a good man of God. Forget what the world is saying. They just want to blackmail him,” Alufe said.
“I have been a member of his church for the past 20 years. He has been my pastor and father in the Lord. I have been very close to him. That is why I can boldly say the viral allegations against him are fake. They are not real.”
Alufe further noted that his wife’s shop had been located on the church street for many years, giving him a front-row view of daily activities.
He questioned why anyone would spread falsehoods against the pastor, highlighting Okafor’s contributions to the community.
“Okafor is a real man of God. He is the one who constructed this road for the community. So, why should people speak ill of someone like that?” he asked.
The second member, who refused to give his name, said the timing of the accusations showed they were false.
“Did you hear all these things before he got married? Did you see anything like that online? That tells you that what the bloggers are saying is not true,” the member said.
“Those behind the allegations are simply 419 people. They are just looking for money. Many people go on social media to spread fake news and lies.”
Also, a pastor in the church, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described the scandal as part of the spiritual challenges that come with ministry.
“One thing you must understand is that we are in a wicked world. There is nothing you do that will please human beings. They must speak either good or evil about you,” the pastor said.
He added, “For most of these things, several other men of God have gone through similar periods because if there is a next level, there will definitely be a next devil. There is no pastor who will not pass through one challenge or another. It is like that sometimes for a man of God.
“Despite what people are saying, I can still boldly say that my pastor is a man of God. He even said it on the pulpit that all the things bloggers are saying about him are lies, and I believe him. Who am I to judge him? I am not God.”
