The Senior Pastor of Mountain of Liberation and Miracles Ministries, Chris Okafor, failed to honour a police summons on Monday over allegations bordering on multiple rape and other offences said to be capable of disturbing public order.
According to reports, Okafor was invited to appear before the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, Lagos, by 10:00 a.m. The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, had ordered a comprehensive investigation into petitions filed against the cleric.
The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Adebisi, had earlier confirmed that the complaints involved alleged sexual misconduct and related issues.
A senior officer at SCID, who spoke anonymously, confirmed that the pastor did not report as scheduled. The officer said it became clear later in the day that Okafor would not be showing up.
Another source familiar with the case disclosed that the cleric allegedly sent representatives to the police to request more time, assuring authorities that he would eventually honour the invitation.
Efforts to get an official response from the police spokesperson on Monday were unsuccessful, as calls and messages were not returned at the time of filing the report.