Canadian authorities have shut down Greater Liberation City International Ministry Centre in Toronto, owned by embattled pastor, Chris Okafor. The
Canadian authorities have shut down Greater Liberation City International Ministry Centre in Toronto, owned by embattled pastor, Chris Okafor.
The church ministry has been dissolved, and it can no longer operate in the country.
The Canadian immigration authorities are also reviewing the immigration status of the pastor in charge, Pastor David Igbanor otherwise known as Bashiru Igbanor, as his work permit is tied to the now-dissolved church. What this means is that the pastor can no longer remain in Canada.
Meanwhile the Lagos state police command has suspended its probe on Chris pending a review by the Inspector General of Police (IGP). According to the command’s spokesperson, Abimbola Adebisi, the decision follows the transfer of a petition on the matter to the Zone two police command in Abuja, which is currently conducting a parallel investigation under the IGP’s office.
Sexual misconduct allegations levelled against Chris gained public attention in December after claims against him circulated widely on social media, sparking public outrage. Earlier this month, an anonymous individual, in Port Harcourt, Rivers state, stated that Chris hired them to carry out murders. The claim also revived earlier accusations made by Nollywood actress Doris Ogala, who had previously stated that Chris was linked to the poisoning and death of her brother. Following the public outrage, the Lagos state commissioner of police, Olohundare Jimoh, ordered the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, to commence an investigation.
The Lagos state police command on Thursday, January 15, disclosed that it had suspended its probe of controversial pastor and founder of Grace Nation Ministry, Chris Okafor, pending a review by the Inspector General of Police (IGP).
According to the command’s spokesperson, Abimbola Adebisi, the decision follows the transfer of a petition on the matter to the Zone two police command in Abuja, which is currently conducting a parallel investigation under the IGP’s office.
Sexual misconduct allegations levelled against Chris gained public attention in December after claims against him circulated widely on social media, sparking public outrage.
Earlier this month, an anonymous individual, in Port Harcourt, Rivers state, stated that Chris hired them to carry out murders.
The claim also revived earlier accusations made by Nollywood actress Doris Ogala, who had previously stated that Chris was linked to the poisoning and death of her brother.
Following the public outrage, the Lagos state commissioner of police, Olohundare Jimoh, ordered the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, to commence an investigation.
Adebisi said security protection was immediately provided for the victims, while Chris later surrendered himself to the police a day after an arrest warrant was issued.
However, the investigation had been put on hold due to the ongoing Zone two probe and the failure of complainants to appear for questioning.
Adebisi said the police could not conduct a simultaneous investigation on the same matter, adding that the Lagos command would wait for the outcome of the Zone two investigation before determining its next course of action.
She also disclosed that Chris was released on personal recognition to enable him to cooperate fully with investigators handling the case at the IGP-supervised level.
