Nigerian female cleric, Apostle Chikere Nwafor, has publicly responded to a damaging leaked audio recording featuring her ex-husband, Pastor Martins Ugbulu, and another pastor, Psalm Okpe. The audio, which surfaced online a few days ago, contained explicit discussions about the founder of Heaven's Gateway Ministries and her alleged private life.
The Leaked Audio and Serious Allegations
In the controversial recording, the two clergymen were heard making claims about Apostle Chikere's supposed bedroom activities with other men. Following the audio leak, her ex-husband, Pastor Martins Ugbulu, escalated the conflict by publicly accusing her of forgery, financial fraud, and even plotting against his life.
These serious allegations are reported to have originated from a long-standing dispute between the former couple. The core of their disagreement revolves around church funds and properties they jointly own in both Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
Apostle Chikere's Emotional Response and Counter-Claims
Reacting to the scandal in a video message directed at her congregation, Apostle Chikere stated that her primary 'offence' was simply choosing to leave the marriage. She provided a starkly different narrative, alleging that she endured years of mistreatment.
The cleric claimed she was a victim of domestic abuse and persistent threats throughout the eight-year relationship. She insisted that the situation was so severe that she reported it to her ex-husband's family and that neighbours around their residence were aware of the alleged abuse.
"All the allegations against me are false and fabricated solely to pull me down," Apostle Chikere asserted in her defence. She also recalled instances where her Facebook page was allegedly taken down multiple times, suggesting a campaign to silence her.
Escalating Threats and a Warning to the Church
The female apostle further detailed an atmosphere of intimidation, alleging that some of her church members had received threats and were physically attacked. She made a grave claim that her ex-husband had repeatedly threatened her life, allegedly boasting that nothing would happen if he carried out the act.
In her video, she strongly warned her church members not to be swayed or emotionally affected by the allegations being circulated against her on social media and other platforms. She framed the entire episode as a retaliatory act for her decision to exit the troubled union.
Pastor Psalm Okpe's Retraction and Public Apology
In a significant twist to the story, one of the participants in the leaked audio, Pastor Psalm Okpe, has since issued a public apology. He clarified that he had never met Pastor Martins Ugbulu in person and described the claims he made in the conversation as mere hearsay and unverified gossip.
Pastor Okpe admitted that while he knows Apostle Chikere and had preached at her church in the past, they barely interacted after her marriage. He explicitly stated that he could not confirm the truth of any allegations discussed in the leaked recording, effectively retracting his participation in the scandal.
The incident has sparked heated reactions from fans and followers online. While some commenters expressed unwavering support for Apostle Chikere, others questioned the veracity of all parties involved, with one social media user bluntly asking, "Were you sleeping with the men mentioned in the discussion?"
As the situation continues to unfold, the public is left to weigh the serious allegations of financial misconduct and life threats against the counter-allegations of prolonged domestic abuse. The scandal highlights the complex and often bitter personal conflicts that can spill into the public domain, especially within high-profile religious circles in Nigeria.
