Lagos Police Halt Chris Okafor Rape Inquiry

The Lagos State Police Command has officially paused its investigation into the multiple rape and sexual misconduct allegations leveled against popular clergyman Chris Okafor. The decision to halt the probe at the state level was triggered by a procedural conflict and the repeated failure of key complainants to honor police invitations.

According to the Command’s spokesperson, Abimbola Adebisi, the investigation reached a stalemate after it was discovered that similar petitions against Okafor were already being handled by a higher authority. Specifically, the case has been consolidated at the Zone 2 Command under the direct supervision of Assistant Inspector-General of Police Sylvester Alabi. Adebisi noted that conducting a parallel inquiry at the state level would be counterproductive and against established protocols.

The spokesperson revealed that while the Command had reached out to several individuals who made public accusations against the cleric, none of the complainants showed up to provide formal statements. This lack of participation, combined with the active probe at Zone 2, led Commissioner of Police Olohundare Jimoh to order a temporary suspension of the state-level proceedings to allow for a more streamlined investigation under the oversight of Inspector-General Kayode Egbetokun.

Okafor, who had earlier reported to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Panti following an arrest warrant, was released on self-recognition. He was subsequently directed to proceed to the Zone 2 Command to address the consolidated petitions there. Police authorities emphasized that the state inquiry is not permanently closed but merely on hold until the outcome of the higher-level investigation is determined.

The clergyman, who is the founder of Grace Nation Church International, has consistently denied the allegations, describing them as a malicious smear campaign. As the legal process shifts to the regional command, the police have reiterated that the case remains a serious criminal matter and that the identities and safety of any victims who choose to come forward will be strictly protected.