Televangelist Dr Chris Okafor, founder of the Mountain of Liberation and Miracle Ministry, has raised concerns over the rising menace of cyberbullying in Nigeria and called for stricter regulation of the country’s digital space.
Speaking at a press briefing in Lagos on Thursday, Okafor expressed frustration over the activities of bloggers and social media influencers, accusing some of spreading unverified information that harms reputations.
The call comes in the wake of allegations made in November 2025 by Nollywood actress Doris Ogala, who claimed that Okafor had been in a long-standing relationship with her and failed to fulfill a promise to marry her. Ogala also accused the cleric of killing her brother and allegedly burying the head of an unidentified murder victim at his church in Ojodu, Lagos State.
Okafor described the online attacks as particularly painful, saying many bloggers circulated accusations without verifying facts or giving him the opportunity to respond.
“It is so sad that most of the so-called influencers we have often connived with people to come up with fabulous lies to attract traffic to their blogs. Many Nigerians have suffered and are still suffering from the lies of bloggers, and most often, they get away with it after destroying the image of their targets,” he said.
He added that while some influencers face legal action, the vast majority escape accountability, calling for urgent legal frameworks to protect innocent citizens from online defamation.
“Nigeria must find a way to safeguard its internet space, especially to ensure that innocent citizens do not get shattered over lies, demeaning their image,” Okafor emphasized.
The pastor urged the National Assembly to introduce legislation regulating online activities, ensuring offenders face punishment that would deter others. He also called on cybercrime authorities to intensify investigations and prosecute perpetrators.
Reflecting on his own experience, Okafor lamented that many members of the public and bloggers fail to seek facts or ask critical questions before accepting unverified claims, highlighting the urgent need for digital accountability in Nigeria’s online space.
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