PFN Considers Sanctions as Pastor Chris Okafor Steps Aside Over Scandal

The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) is weighing additional disciplinary measures against Chris Okafor, the Senior Pastor of the Mountain of Liberation and Miracles Ministries, amid multiple sexual misconduct allegations.

The PFN decision comes after Pastor Okafor stepped down from pastoral duties amid growing outrage over multiple sex scandals.

During his sermon at the church’s New Year’s crossover service on Wednesday night, the pastor said his decision to step down was for spiritual renewal.

In an interview with Punch, a senior PFN executive close to Pastor Okafor disclosed that respected leaders in the Christian community pressured Okafor to step down to douse tensions over the allegation.

The source explained that the festive period had slowed down deliberations within the PFN on the scandal, as meetings could not be convened to discuss the matter formally.

The official said, “There are more things to be done in terms of disciplinary actions. Meetings could not be held to deliberate on actions against him (Okafor). But from the pressure from some of the leaders in the body of Christ, he has stepped down for a month. I believe that before the month ends, some decisions would have been made concerning him.” 

The PFN official also dismissed plans to investigate the allegations against Pastor Okafor, stressing that the Christian community is not a security or enforcement agency.

He stated, “I don’t think it is the PFN that should do that. We are not the police, nor are we a law enforcement agency. If there is an allegation of rape against a pastor, it is not the PFN that should investigate it. I want Nigerians to get this right: even if we do any form of inquiry, we cannot arrest anyone. This is a criminal case, and the government should step in.

“However, this does not mean that PFN does not act in situations like this. What PFN or the body of Christ can do is what we call spiritual pressure and discipline; there are other areas where the police should investigate. PFN does not have the statutory power to investigate or arrest when it comes to criminal allegations.”

He added that although PFN was engaging the issue quietly, its actions should not be misconstrued as a formal investigation.

He added, “On Pastor Okafor’s matter, there are a lot of things PFN is doing behind the scenes, but I don’t want to call these things an investigation. It is not for public consumption for now. 

His stepping down is part of the action that PFN and the body of Christ pressured him to take.

“When we saw the enormity of the allegations, and it was already looking like a criminal matter, we had to step in and do our part, but the government also has to play its role.”