In a dramatic and highly unusual scene, Pastor Chris Okafor, the founder of Grace Nation Bible Ministry (formerly Liberation City), publicly apologized to Nollywood actress Doris Ogala on Sunday, 28 December 2025.
Addressing his congregation during the Sunday service, the cleric took the extraordinary step of kneeling before the church, asking for forgiveness for “mistakes made in the past” and stating his readiness to make restitution.
The apology follows a weeks-long scandal that included allegations of a “breach of promise to marry,” a ₦1 billion lawsuit, and the brief arrest and detention of the actress.
Pastor Okafor humbled himself before his members, saying: “I’m kneeling down before everyone and before the church. Forgive me. You can judge me. Pray for me.”
While he admitted to “mistakes,” the pastor maintained a firm stance that many specific allegations, which included claims of financial impropriety and the sharing of private photos, were untrue. “There are so many lies in most of the things that were said, however, I am saying sorry to everyone I have offended,” he stated.
He specifically addressed Ogala, saying he was ready to make amends to her and any other woman who felt wronged by his actions.
Actress Doris Ogala, who had previously given the pastor a 24-hour ultimatum to apologize, reacted almost immediately via her social media handles.
Ogala expressed relief, stating: “Pastor Chris please don’t kneel. This was all I wanted. Apology accepted.”
However, despite accepting the apology, she took exception to his claim that her allegations were “lies.” In a follow-up post, she insisted: “Chris Okafor, I forgive you but there is a problem where you said everything is a lie. I have a problem with that because I don’t lie.”
The dispute, which has dominated Nigerian social media for the second half of December 2025, centered on several explosive claims including; Ogala alleging that after a 9-year relationship, the pastor abandoned her to marry another woman (Pearl) earlier this month.
The actress also claimed she had entrusted the cleric with ₦45 million during their relationship. She was arrested by the police in Abuja on 20 December after she allegedly shared a private video of the pastor. She was later released following an initial private apology from Okafor at the police station.
On 23 December, Ogala claimed she rejected a $10,000 bribe intended to make her retract her statements.
During his sermon, Pastor Okafor attributed his decision to apologize to the influence of “fathers of faith”, senior Christian leaders, who counseled him to seek peace. He described the moment as a “new beginning” for his ministry.
