Ex-wife: I ended my 14-year union to Chris Okafor after finding proof he was married before

Bessem and Okafor

Bessem, the ex-wife of Chris Okafor, the founder of Grace Nation Ministry, has called him out in the wake of his public apology to actress Doris Ogala. The controversy stems from allegations by Ogala, who claimed she had a seven-year romantic relationship with the cleric since 2017.

She stated that she left her previous marriage at his urging and accused him of betrayal after years of promises to marry her, later demanding ₦1 billion in damages for breach of promise.

Despite the controversy, photos from Okafor’s white wedding and traditional marriage ceremonies to another woman Pearl surfaced online.

On Sunday, Okafor addressed the congregation, kneeling to apologise to Ogala. He cited a painful experience of infidelity in his first marriage — a union he entered “young [and] under family pressure” — as a formative trauma that led to later “choices and mistakes”.

He took responsibility, expressed regret, and asked for understanding and prayers, while also asserting that not all of Ogala’s claims were accurate.

However, hours later, a video of Bessem began circulating widely in which she argued that his apology “lacked integrity”.

Bessem recounted marrying Okafor at 18, a traditional wedding that produced four children. She said she left the marriage 14 years ago due to what she described as his immorality, citing alleged affairs. She also accused him of domestic violence during their union.