Ms. Doris Ogala, a Nollywood actress and member of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, has formally demanded N1 billion in aggravated damages from Pastor Chris Okafor, the founder of Grace Nation Liberation City and a pastor in Lagos, for allegedly breaking a marriage vow.
The demand was sent to Pastor Okafor at his Ojodu Berger address on December 16, 2025, via her attorneys, Synergy Law Partners. The letter warned of impending legal action if the clergyman did not comply within 21 days.
In the letter, Ogala claimed that Pastor Okafor promised to marry her in a “clear, consistent, and unequivocal” manner. She claimed that this vow served as the foundation for a long-term personal connection that started in 2017.
The relationship, the lawyers claimed, commenced at a time when the actress was experiencing emotional distress and seeking pastoral support.
Her counsel maintained that the alleged promise was not merely verbal, but reinforced by conduct, including introductions to the cleric’s family and public appearances at family events.
The letter claimed that photographs, videos, WhatsApp messages and banking records exist to substantiate the actress’s position and establish what her lawyers described as a legitimate expectation of marriage.
Ogala further alleged that she relied on the promise to her detriment, taking what her lawyers described as “irreversible steps” based on assurances of marital commitment.
Among these, the letter claimed she exited a troubled marriage, abandoning prospects of reconciliation because of the security she believed the promised union offered.
The demand also alleged significant financial loss. Ogala claimed she entrusted Pastor Okafor with the sum of N45 million in a single transaction, allegedly granting him access to her financial affairs on the strength of the relationship and promise of marriage
The dispute escalated, according to the lawyers, when Pastor Okafor publicly announced his engagement to another woman, an act they described as a clear repudiation of the alleged promise.
They argued that the manner of the announcement caused severe emotional and reputational harm to their client, who they noted is a public figure.
The letter further alleged that Ogala has since been subjected to intense public scrutiny, online harassment and victim-shaming, which her lawyers attributed to the fallout from the cleric’s actions.
They also accused Pastor Okafor of responsibility for the alleged unauthorised circulation of private photographs, an allegation the cleric has not publicly responded to as of press time.
While stressing that marriage cannot be forced, Ogala’s lawyers argued that the law provides remedies for breach of promise and aggravated harm.
