Nigerian cleric Pastor Chris Okafor, the founder of Grace Nation Liberation City, has issued a strong rebuttal to allegations circulating online that he abandoned his biological children. The controversy stems from a viral Instagram video shared by social media activist VeryDarkMan, featuring an interview with a young woman identified as Chi Okafor.
Viral Allegations and a Firm Denial
In the now-viral interview, the lady, Chi Okafor, claimed that the popular pastor fathered her and two other sisters but failed to take responsibility for them. She detailed a narrative of neglect that quickly captured public attention. However, in a formal statement released on Wednesday through his legal representatives, Pastor Okafor dismissed these claims as entirely fabricated.
The pastor's legal team described the allegations as "false, misleading, malicious, and gravely injurious" to his character and ministry. They attributed the claims to "jobless agents of destruction" intent on tarnishing his reputation. The statement also took direct aim at VeryDarkMan, accusing him of publishing the interview without seeking Okafor's side of the story, thereby engaging in what they termed "malicious defamation" and online harassment.
The Paternity Test and a Challenge to Produce Evidence
Providing a dramatic counter-narrative, Okafor's lawyers delved into the history of his relationship with the woman alleged to be the mother of the children. They stated that during the early days of his ministry, Okafor agreed to marry the woman after she informed him she was pregnant with his child.
The marriage, however, reportedly collapsed following a traumatic incident: Pastor Okafor's kidnapping. According to the statement, the woman denied knowing Okafor when contacted by the kidnappers for ransom and later misappropriated funds raised by his family for his release. After regaining his freedom, growing doubts led Okafor to question the paternity of the children and demand DNA tests.
The legal team asserted that DNA test results conclusively proved Pastor Okafor is not the biological father of the first or second child. In a bold public challenge, they stated, "The DNA test certificate is in the possession of the impostor’s mother, and our client challenges her to produce the said certificate to the public." Following these results, the marriage was dissolved and all ties were severed.
Legal Warnings and Escalating Conflict
The situation has escalated beyond social media discourse into potential legal territory. Pastor Okafor's counsel confirmed that a formal warning letter has been sent to activist VeryDarkMan. The letter accuses him of using his platform to harass, defame, and incite the public against the cleric under the guise of activism.
The lawyers warned that his repeated posts establish a pattern of online harassment that could lead to serious legal consequences if it continues. This development adds a layer of legal scrutiny to the already heated public exchange, setting the stage for a possible courtroom battle over defamation and character assassination.
This controversy emerges amid other public discussions involving the pastor, including an interview by actress Doris Ogala about her past encounters with him. As the story develops, the public awaits any response from Chi Okafor, her mother, or VeryDarkMan to the pastor's direct challenge to present the DNA evidence.
