Nollywood actress and member of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, Doris Ogala, has formally demanded ₦1 billion in damages from Pastor Chris Okafor, the founder of Grace Nation International, formerly known as Mountain of Liberation and Miracle Ministry. The legal demand follows allegations by Ogala that Pastor Okafor breached an alleged promise to marry her, causing significant emotional, reputational, and financial harm. This high-profile dispute has attracted intense media coverage and public debate across social media platforms, with many closely following the developments of the case.
The Legal Demand
On December 16, 2025, Doris Ogala’s lawyers, representing her under Synergy Law Partners, sent a pre-action letter to Pastor Chris Okafor. The letter formally demanded payment of ₦1 billion as compensation for aggravated and general damages resulting from the alleged breach of promise to marry. The pre-action notice gave Pastor Okafor 21 days to comply with the demand, warning that failure to do so would result in the matter being filed as a lawsuit in a court of competent jurisdiction.
The legal team emphasized that while marriage itself cannot be enforced through Nigerian law, remedies exist for breach of promise, particularly where such a breach causes substantial harm. The letter noted that Ogala suffered emotional trauma, reputational setbacks, and financial loss, all of which form the basis of her claim for compensation.
Background of the Alleged Relationship
According to the legal documents, the alleged relationship between Doris Ogala and Pastor Okafor began in 2017, during a period when Ogala was experiencing marital difficulties. In her statement, Ogala claimed she sought pastoral guidance from Okafor, who allegedly made repeated, clear, and unambiguous promises of marriage. These assurances were reportedly reinforced through actions such as introducing her to his family members, including his children, and inviting her to family and social events as if she were to become part of the family permanently.
Evidence cited by Ogala’s legal team includes photographs, videos, WhatsApp chat records, and financial documents that allegedly demonstrate a legitimate expectation of marriage. These pieces of evidence are presented to substantiate her claim that the relationship was serious and that she acted in reliance on the pastor’s promises.
Claims of Detriment and Financial Loss
Ogala further alleges that she acted to her detriment based on Pastor Okafor’s assurances. She claims to have ended her previous troubled marriage, foregoing opportunities for reconciliation, because she believed a stable and secure future awaited with Okafor. In addition, she states that she transferred a total of ₦45 million to the cleric in one transaction, granting him access to her finances due to the trust she placed in the relationship and the expectation of a marital union.
The Trigger: Public Engagement and Marriage
The dispute escalated when Pastor Okafor publicly announced his engagement and subsequently married another woman, identified as Pearl, in a high-profile ceremony on December 16, 2025, held in Lekki, Lagos. Ogala’s legal team described this event as a “calculated and publicly executed breach” of the promise made to their client, asserting that it caused severe emotional distress, psychological harm, and reputational damage to her as a prominent public figure in Nollywood.
The letter further accuses Pastor Okafor of responsibility for the unauthorized circulation of Ogala’s private photographs, which allegedly led to online harassment, victim-blaming, and additional reputational harm. These claims highlight the extent of the perceived damages and provide a rationale for the high compensation amount demanded.
Pastor’s Response and Current Status
As of December 18, 2025, Pastor Chris Okafor has not issued a direct public response to the legal demand. Previously, during a church sermon, he indirectly addressed allegations of a personal nature by stating that no man would choose to marry an “arrogant” woman, though he did not specifically reference Ogala or her claims. Efforts to obtain comments from him or his team regarding the ₦1 billion demand have been unsuccessful.
The controversy has ignited a wide-ranging debate online, with social media users expressing mixed reactions. Some sympathize with Doris Ogala and support her legal pursuit of compensation for emotional and financial harm, while others question the timing and public nature of the allegations. The matter is expected to generate further attention as the 21-day window for pre-action compliance progresses, with potential court proceedings looming should Pastor Okafor fail to respond or settle the claim amicably.