Dr. Chris Okafor, the senior pastor and founder of the Mountain of Liberation and Miracle Ministries, has publicly issued a formal ultimatum to a woman, Ms. Chi Okafor, who has recently claimed to be his biological daughter. The pastor demanded that the woman submit to a DNA test to verify her claims, insisting that the test is necessary to establish the truth regarding her alleged paternity.
In addition to demanding the DNA test, Pastor Okafor also instructed the woman to retract all statements, publications, and online content linking him to claims of paternity, abandonment, or neglect.
He further insisted on a public apology from Ms. Chi Okafor, emphasizing that the allegations she has made have caused significant harm to his personal reputation, his family, and the integrity of his ministry.
At a press conference held in Owerri on Wednesday, Pastor Okafor, through his legal representative, Maxwell Opara, strongly denied being the biological father of the woman or her sibling. He maintained that the children were products of infidelity by his estranged wife and have no biological connection to him.
The pastor described the publications attributed to the woman as forms of cyber incitement, cyberbullying, cyber harassment, cyberstalking, criminal defamation, and malicious impersonation. He issued a stern warning that legal proceedings would follow if the demands were not met promptly.
According to Mr. Opara, “Any assertion suggesting that our Client abandoned a spouse or children is therefore false, misleading, defamatory, and constitutes cyber bullying. Such claims are wholly untrue and are intended to malign our Client’s character.”
Opara elaborated, “We have become aware that an individual who identifies herself as Ms. Chi Okafor has been representing herself online as the biological daughter of our Client, Pastor Dr. Chris Okafor. She has continuously made false, misleading, and defamatory statements regarding his personal life and family, including allegations of abandonment and failure to fulfill paternal responsibilities.”
The lawyer emphasized, “For the avoidance of doubt, we reiterate that the continued public portrayal of Ms. Lilian Okafor and her sibling as children of our Client, as well as the repeated publication of statements alleging abandonment, constitutes gross misrepresentation and libel. Such actions are highly damaging, misleading, and completely unacceptable.”
Opara further stated, “We therefore categorically, emphatically, and unequivocally assert that the claims made by the individual claiming to be Ms. Chi Okafor are entirely false, malicious, misleading, inciting, and gravely injurious to the personality, reputation, and character of our Client.”
Outlining the specific demands of Pastor Okafor, Opara said, “Accordingly, we formally demand the following: Immediate retraction of all false, defamatory, and misleading statements published online or offline concerning our Client. This should be accompanied by a written apology published in two (2) national newspapers, with copies forwarded to the relevant authorities to ensure proper record.”
He continued, “Immediate cessation and desistance from further presenting, implying, or asserting any familial relationship with our Client, and immediate removal of all online and offline content that falsely associates our Client with claims of paternity or abandonment.”
Additionally, the lawyer challenged the woman to undergo a DNA test. He stated, “We also challenge the individual in question to submit herself and her sibling for a DNA test at a mutually agreed and reputable health facility, particularly in the absence of the earlier DNA certificate allegedly in her possession. This test is essential to settle the matter definitively and prevent further false claims.”
Issuing a final warning, Opara emphasized, “TAKE NOTICE that failure to comply with these demands will leave our Client with no alternative but to pursue all available legal remedies to safeguard his reputation, integrity, and the sanctity of his ministry.”
He added, “This statement is issued to clarify the facts, prevent further dissemination of falsehoods, and reaffirm our Client’s unwavering commitment to truth, dignity, fairness, and the protection of his personal and professional life.”
In a broader cautionary note, Pastor Okafor also warned social media commentator Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, as well as Ms. Doris Ogala and others, to desist from spreading what he described as false claims and malicious content about him across social media platforms. He reiterated that anyone found participating in the dissemination of defamatory statements would face legal consequences under applicable laws.