Crime
Sex scandal: Randy Pastor Steps Down, Faces Sanctions
The development follows his wedding to a new bride, identified simply as Pearl, on December 16, 2025, and attended by prominent clerics.
Okafor was said to have gone ahead with the ceremony despite Ogala’s viral accusations of betrayal, emotional manipulation and reneging on a promise of marriage after a long-term relationship.
In separate interviews wmseveral members of the church, however, dismissed the allegations, describing them as desperate moves by individuals trying to extort money from their “man of God”.
The pressure to step down
As the allegations escalated on social media in recent weeks, with more women coming forward with different narrations, respected leaders in the Christian community pressured Okafor to step down in order to douse tension.
A senior executive of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, who is close to the pastor, confirmed this to one of our correspondents.
“There are more things to be done in terms of disciplinary actions,” the official added.
The source explained that the festive period had slowed down deliberations within the PFN on the scandal, as meetings could not be convened to formally discuss the matter.
“Meetings could not be held to deliberate on actions against him (Okafor). But from the pressure from some of the leaders in the body of Christ, he has stepped down for a month. I believe that before the month ends, some decisions would have been made concerning him,” the official stated.
When asked if the PFN would investigate the allegations against the pastor, the official said, “I don’t think it is the PFN that should do that. We are not the police, nor are we a law enforcement agency. If there is an allegation of rape against a pastor, it is not the PFN that should investigate it. I want Nigerians to get this right: even if we do any form of inquiry, we cannot arrest anyone. This is a criminal case, and the government should step in.
“However, this does not mean that PFN does not act in situations like this. What PFN or the body of Christ can do is what we call spiritual pressure and discipline; there are other areas where the police should investigate. PFN does not have the statutory power to investigate or arrest when it comes to criminal allegations.”
He added that although PFN was engaging the issue quietly, its actions should not be misconstrued as a formal investigation.
“On Pastor Okafor’s matter, there are a lot of things PFN is doing behind the scenes, but I don’t want to call these things an investigation. It is not for public consumption for now. His stepping down is part of the action that PFN and the body of Christ pressured him to take.
“When we saw the enormity of the allegations, and it was already looking like a criminal matter, we had to step in and do our part, but the government also has to play its role,” the source added.
‘I stepped down on God’s instruction’
However, the pastor, during his sermon at the church’s New Year crossover service on Wednesday night, said his decision to step down was for spiritual renewal.
“I will be resting. It would be time for personal retreat with God and time for me and my wife to rest,” the pastor told his congregation.
“Since our wedding, we have not rested. We have not had time. We have not even done our honeymoon. So, we are stepping aside to pray, to have a retreat and to rest from this January, and to return better and stronger from the presence of the Lord.”
Okafor said the break, which he noted did not mean he would be totally absent from church activities, would last until February.
The allegations
The flurry of allegations against the cleric began on December 14 when actress Ogala posted several emotional videos on her Instagram page.
In the clips, she accused the pastor of having sexual relationship with her, which allegedly began in 2017 and lasted for nine years.
The actress said the cleric promised her marriage many times before marrying another woman in December 2025.
In the videos, she also accused Okafor of sharing her explicit videos and photos.
She said the pastor contributed to the breakdown of her previous marriage and caused her emotional distress and financial loss.
The actress also shared some bedroom photos and screenshots of conversations, with videos claiming the pastor sent her $10,000 to retract her statements and claim that a rival pastor orchestrated the accusations.
She later demanded N1bn in damages via a legal notice filed through her legal team, alleging threats and intimidation after she was arrested and detained by the police.
As the scandal escalated, some other women also alleged sexual misconduct, manipulation, infidelity and related issues against the pastor.
One of them was his former wife, Bessem Okafor, who accused Okafor of infidelity, deception and physical assault.
Speaking in an interview with popular YouTuber, Aunty Adunni, the woman said she left the cleric 14 years ago due to the shame from his alleged actions.
In another video shared on Aunty Adunni’s YouTube channel a lady identified simply as Ebere, said to be a former member of Okafor’s church choir, also accused him of having secret affairs with her.
The lady said her relationship with the pastor started around 2015 and lasted for many years, during which she allegedly had four abortions for him.
Ebere claimed the pastor promised her marriage multiple times but backed out, adding that she eventually kept one pregnancy for him, which resulted in a child.
Few days ago, a video surfaced on Instagram in which another lady made fresh allegations against Okafor.
She accused the pastor of having sexual relations with her and her sister, which she said resulted in pregnancies.
The lady claimed that the children involved resembled the pastor, calling for a DNA test to confirm her claims and insisting that she had evidence to support her allegations.
She said the situation forced her to flee their home in 2020 after she reported the matter to her mother.
However, the claim was dismissed by the pastor in a viral video that gained traction during the week.
The Lagos State Police Command has said it cannot arrest the embattled pastor because there has been no formal petition against him from the victims.
The Enugu State Police Command has dismissed as false a viral social media report alleging that armed herdsmen attacked a school in Ezeagu Local Government Area of the state.
The Command said investigations and security assessments conducted following the circulation of the report confirmed that no such incident occurred in Ezeagu or any other part of Enugu State.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, the Command described the report as a deliberate fabrication capable of creating fear, panic, and confusion among residents, particularly school administrators, teachers, students, and parents.
According to the police, operatives immediately carried out on-the-spot security assessments, intelligence gathering, operational checks, and discreet investigations, all of which established that the alleged attack never took place.
The Command condemned the spread of false information and warned that those responsible for originating and disseminating the report would be identified and prosecuted.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, has directed the Command’s Tactical and Intelligence Units to intensify efforts to track down the perpetrators and ensure they face the full weight of the law.
The police boss reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to protecting lives and property and maintaining peace and public order across Enugu State.
He urged residents to disregard the report, remain calm and vigilant, and continue to report suspicious activities to security agencies.
The Command also encouraged members of the public to make use of its emergency lines — 08032003702, 08086671202, 112, 09134666668, and 09134448093 — to report security concerns.
The police reiterated that misinformation and alarmist reports pose a threat to public peace and warned against the dissemination of unverified information capable of causing unnecessary panic.
This is as the abducted Principal of Community High School, Ahoro-Esinele, Mrs Rachael Alamu, in an emotion-laden voice in another viral video on Monday, begged Nigerians not to allow the government to deceive the world that bandits requested Sharia Law to be enshrined in the country for their release.
The coordinated abduction had taken place on Friday, May 15, 2026, around 9:30 a.m, while those whisked away had remained in captivity since then.
The Nigerian Union of Teachers ordered members across the state to commence a strike until the rescue of the kidnapped victims, while protests were held across the country last week.
One of the protesters, Kehinde Dahunsi, said, “What will it take for both the government at the centre and the state government to rescue our beloved ones since May 15. This is so pathetic.
“The former Minister of Power, Bayo Adelabu’s biological sister and her twin children (Peter and Paul), as heard on radio, television stations, and read in the pages of newspapers, were kidnapped early hours on Wednesday, June 3, and were rescued on Saturday, June 6, 2026. Just three days interval.
“But our people have been in captivity for 25 days now. Why shouldn’t governments also apply the same mechanism used to rescue the ex-minister’s sister and her two sons to rescue our family members?” he lamented.
In the now-viral video, Alamu, in a distress call from the kidnappers’ hideout, begged Nigerians to circulate the video and not play politics with their lives.
“Today makes it the 24th day that we have been in this place. And it seems that some people are making our problems complicated already.
“We were shown some print media where it was stated that these people that abducted us requested the release of some people. They requested a billion naira; they requested that Sharia be enshrined in the country. These are not true. They are just trying to create a problem for us.
“We have been here since, we have not been forced to worship in an Islamic way. We have been left alone. They have not troubled us concerning that. They are not asking for Sharia law; they are not asking for money.
“The single thing they are looking for is the release of some of their people. I don’t know why they are peddling this rumour to make it complicated for us.
“Please, we are begging you, please, don’t play politics with our lives. Nigerians, please, help us to circulate this, let it go viral.
“They are not asking for Sharia law. It’s not true. They are not asking for weapons; they are not asking for money. All they want is the release of some people, and the government should negotiate with them and know those whom they will release for them.
“I don’t know why they are playing politics with our lives. Please, Nigerians, our lives are in your hands. Please, help us make it go viral. Don’t let the government deceive the whole world.”
Victims of a violent attack in Umunkpumente Kindred, Ihie Autonomous Community, Ishiagu, in Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, have called on Governor , the Commissioner of Police, CP Hope Urunwa Okafor, and the Department of State Services (DSS) to ensure the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the incident.
The victims, numbering more than 10, were reportedly attacked by suspected thugs while holding a meeting at the residence of the late Fabian Okonkwo, who was allegedly murdered by unknown gunmen on April 16, 2026.
According to members of the kindred, the attack may be linked to their persistent demands for a thorough investigation into Okonkwo’s killing.
Speaking to journalists, the Chairman of Umunkpumente Kindred, Mr. Christopher Okonkwo, alleged that the crisis began after the kindred petitioned the Ebonyi State Government and the Police Command, requesting an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of Fabian Okonkwo.
He explained that prior to his death, Fabian Okonkwo had sought permission to bury his late in-law on family land located in Ekembe, Ihie Autonomous Community.
According to him, Okonkwo first approached the President-General of the community, Mr. Chijoke Ume, who allegedly opposed the request and warned him against proceeding with the burial.
“Late Fabian then approached the traditional ruler of Ihie Autonomous Community, Eze Gabriel Okoro, who granted approval after confirming that the land belonged to Fabian’s family and that his relatives had consented to the burial,” he said.
Mr. Okonkwo alleged that in the early hours of April 16, armed men invaded Fabian’s residence and shot him multiple times in the head.
“Nothing was taken from the house, which strongly suggests that the attackers came specifically to kill him,” he stated.
He further alleged that after several weeks with no visible progress in the investigation, members of the kindred petitioned the Governor and the Commissioner of Police, leading to the arrest and questioning of the community President-General, Chijoke Ume, and his secretary, Kenneth Kalu.
According to him, tensions escalated following the arrests.
He claimed that on June 3, the Chairman of Ivo Local Government Area, Chief Emmanuel Ajah, contacted him and urged him to facilitate the release of the detained community leaders.
“I explained that the petition was not my personal decision but that of the entire kindred. However, I was repeatedly pressured to withdraw the petition,” he alleged.
Mr. Okonkwo further claimed that on June 5, a group of youths allegedly led by one Emeka Chukwuemeka invaded his residence in his absence and destroyed some of his property.
He said the attackers allegedly threatened him through a relative, giving him 24 hours to secure the release of the detained individuals or face consequences.
He also alleged that on June 7, while members of the kindred gathered at the late Fabian Okonkwo’s residence to discuss support for the deceased’s family, more than 100 youths from three neighbouring kindreds stormed the venue and attacked them.
“They injured about 10 persons, burnt one motorcycle, damaged two others and looted and destroyed a shop belonging to Mr. Onwulandu Mbazu,” he said.
Mr. Okonkwo urged Governor Nwifuru and security agencies to investigate what he described as repeated attacks against members of the kindred.
He recalled that a similar incident allegedly occurred on August 31, 2024, resulting in injuries and destruction of property.
Another victim and Financial Secretary of the kindred, Mr. James Ifeanyi, accused the Youth President of Ihie Autonomous Community, Mr. Kelvin Chukwuemeka, and a Special Assistant to the Local Government Chairman, Mr. Festus Nwafor, of leading the attack.
According to him, the assailants arrived armed with dangerous weapons and unleashed violence on members of the kindred.
“I know some of those who attacked us, including Kelechi Mkpa, Orji Ugochukwu and Orji Christian,” he alleged.
He further claimed that the attack was aimed at frustrating ongoing efforts to uncover those responsible for the murder of Fabian Okonkwo.
The victims appealed to security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation into both the killing and the subsequent attacks, insisting that those responsible should be brought to justice.
Reacting to the allegations, the Chairman of Ivo Local Government Area, Chief Emmanuel Ajah, confirmed that the murder of Fabian Okonkwo had been reported to the police and that investigations were ongoing.
Similarly, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Ebonyi State Command, SP Joshua Ukandu, confirmed the arrest of the community President-General and his secretary, adding that normalcy had been restored in the area.
Ukandu expressed concern over the violence and protests that followed the arrests.
“It is unfortunate that people would resort to protests and attacks over the arrest and questioning of individuals linked to an ongoing murder investigation,” he said.
“The police have not concluded their investigation. Those involved should have allowed due process to take its course. If anyone suspects foul play, there are lawful channels through which complaints can be made.”
The police spokesman assured residents that the command remains committed to ensuring justice, maintaining peace, and ensuring that all those found culpable are brought to justice.
By Okey Maduforo Awka
Commander of Operations for Agunechemba Security Squad Chief Chinenye Ihenkor has described his 30 Years of fighting insecurity in Anambra state as tough and hell on earth.
Ihenkor who disclosed this shortly after receiving the Peace and Security Legend Award presented to him by the management of Nigerian Radar in Awka Anambra state noted that in the past 30 that he has been in the job of fighting insecurity in the area it has been tough and hell on earth.
“This 30 years since my life has been committed to the security of lives and property in Anambra state but I must tell you that my days in the past 30 years has not been easy ”
“It has been tough 30 years of policing in Anambra state but with God all things are possible”
“We have passed through hell and through so many attacks and challenges to make sure that people of Anambra state and the residents sleep with their two eyes closed ”
“I have passed so many challenges but not withstanding the major thing is that I am alive ”
“I have had so many worse days in Anambra state and they are uncountable to tell you the truth”
“Any time or day that I go for operations it is a worse day to me any day that I deploy my personnel is a worse day so that is about 30 worse days” he said.
Reacting to the award , Ihenkor noted that though he wasn’t expecting it , he wasn’t surprise that it came which according to him is an indication that Anambra people are aware of his duties in the area.
“I cannot say that I wasn’t expecting the award because it has gone to show that the world is awear of what I am doing.”
“This award is a success story for the Udo Ga Chi and Agunechemba Security Squad specifically”
“I thank the organization that presented this award to me and charge them to keep it up in the discharge of their duties.l”
“Iwant to thank our Governor Charles Soludo because without him we would not have been here today doing this job and appreciate the Special Adviser to the Governor on Community Security Prince Kenneth Emeakayi for his leadership qualities in the fight against insecurity in Anambra state”
“This is because the job of security is not for one person alone and it is everyman’s duty no matter your position or level in the society” he noted .
Presenting the award the Publisher Chief Executive Officer of The Radar Magazine , Mr Anthony C Okwunebe explained that the organization has 50 outstanding personalities that have distinguished themselves in various fields of endeavour which have impacted positively of the lives of people a d the society adding that Ihenkor is one of them .
He charged men and women in positions of responsibility to see their respective positions as service to the masses and the society at large noting that their individual and collective efforts would serve as multiplayer effects on the country at large .
Senor Special Assistant to Governor on Security Mr Okechukwu Dominic described the award as a great tonic and impetus for the security operatives in the state to put more action in the discharge of their duties.
“We are not surprise that people are commending us for the job that we are doing and we are proud of the Director of Operations and the Special Adviser to Soludo on Community Security Prince Kenneth Emeakayi for his leadership roles in fighting security and above all we all thank Mr Governor for finding us warthiy to work under his administration” he said.
The abductors, who attacked schools in Esinele, Yawota and Alawusa communities on May 15, are said to be demanding the release of detained terrorist commanders, payment of ransom, two Hilux vehicles and the implementation of Sharia-related law.
The two commanders whose release is reportedly being sought are Mahmud Usman, also known as Abu Bara’a or Abbas Mukhtar, and his deputy, Abubakar Abba, alias Isah Adam or Mahmud Al-Nigeri, also called Mallam Mamuda.
The duo are leaders of Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimeena Fii Bilaadis Sudan, JAMBS, also known as Ansaru — a breakaway faction of Boko Haram — and are alleged to have aided and abetted acts of terrorism in the country between 2013 and 2015.
They are also linked to the 2022 Kuje prison break.
They were arrested between May and July 2025 and are currently standing trial on terrorism charges before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, in a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CR/464/2025, with their trial commencing on January 15, 2026.
Usman was sentenced to 15 years in prison by Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on September 11, 2025, after pleading guilty to one count of illegal mining — which he admitted he used to fund arms procurement for terrorism and kidnapping.
He denied 31 other counts and remains in DSS custody pending trial on those charges.
Other reports indicate the ransom demand stands at ₦1bn, to be paid into a bank account in the Republic of Benin. PUNCH Online could not independently verify this figure.
Security analysts have warned that releasing the commanders would pose serious risks to national security.
A retired Brigadier-General, Bashir Adewinbi, speaking with Saturday PUNCH said the situation had put the government in a tight corner, warning that paying ransom or releasing terrorist commanders would embolden criminal groups and fund further attacks.
Another retired Brigadier-General, Peter Aro, urged the government to first establish proof that the abductees were still alive before taking any decision, noting that prolonged captivity posed serious risks, particularly for young children.
The Oyo State Government has declined to comment on the demands or the state of negotiations, with the Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, saying it would be “unhelpful” to disclose the government’s strategy while efforts to secure the victims’ release were ongoing.
On May 17, two days after the attack, the abductors released a video showing the beheading of one of the kidnapped teachers, Michael Oyedokun, a mathematics teacher at Community High School, Ahoro-Esinele.
Governor Seyi Makinde confirmed the killing in a statement on Monday, May 18, describing it as deeply painful.
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