Director-General Of NAPTIP Orders Probe Of Sexual Abuse Allegations Against MFM General Overseer, Olukoya

The Director-General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Mrs. Binta Adamu Bello, has ordered an immediate and full-scale investigation into grave allegations of sexual abuse, intimidation, and exploitation leveled against Dr. Daniel Olukoya, the General Overseer of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM).

This decisive move follows a wave of public outrage and a formal petition submitted by a group known as the Concerned Mothers Advocacy Group, who staged an emotional protest at NAPTIP’s national headquarters in Abuja on Friday, April 25, 2025.

The development has sent shockwaves across Nigeria’s religious community, stirring debates about accountability within faith-based institutions and the long-standing issue of abuse of power by some religious leaders.

According to SaharaReporters, which first broke the story, NAPTIP’s Chief Press Officer, Mr. Vincent Adekoye, confirmed that the agency had received a formal petition detailing numerous allegations against Dr. Olukoya.

“The Director-General, Mrs. Binta Adamu Bello, has directed an immediate investigation into the petition. The DG is passionate and caring, especially regarding vulnerable individuals. She is committed to ensuring that justice is served,” Adekoye told SaharaReporters on Saturday.

The allegations detailed in the petition range from sexual assault and blackmail to legal intimidation and what was described as “systemic cover-ups” allegedly orchestrated within the leadership hierarchy of MFM.

The Concerned Mothers Advocacy Group, comprising women from diverse backgrounds, argued that spiritual authority should not serve as a cover for predatory behavior. Their placards bore inscriptions like “Justice for Victims”, “Faith Should Heal, Not Hurt”, and “NAPTIP, We Trust You”.

The group submitted a detailed petition signed by Mr. Dipo Olujobi, urging NAPTIP to not only investigate the matter thoroughly but also to set a strong precedent that religious titles do not confer immunity from the law.

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The petition submitted by the Concerned Mothers outlines harrowing claims, including:

• Sexual exploitation of young female church members under the guise of spiritual counseling;
• Threats and legal intimidation against victims who dared to speak out;
• Systematic efforts by church leadership to cover up allegations through financial inducement, character assassination, and silencing tactics;
• Manipulation of victims through religious guilt and fear of spiritual damnation;
• Use of church-owned media and resources to malign accusers.

While the allegations remain under investigation, the Concerned Mothers have called for protection for whistleblowers and alleged victims, expressing fear that powerful interests within the church could attempt to influence or derail the investigation.

The Director-General’s response has been swift and clear: NAPTIP will tolerate no form of abuse, especially those involving vulnerable persons.

Mrs. Bello, who assumed leadership at NAPTIP two years ago, has made victim-centered justice a cornerstone of her administration. Under her watch, the agency has expanded its mandate beyond human trafficking to include broader issues of exploitation, particularly in institutional settings.

Sources within NAPTIP suggest that a special investigative team comprising experts in trauma, law enforcement, and forensic psychology has been assembled to handle the Olukoya case.

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“The DG is personally monitoring this investigation,” a senior official at NAPTIP, who asked not to be named because they were not authorized to speak to the media, disclosed. “She wants a thorough, impartial, and professional probe that will withstand public scrutiny and possible judicial review.”

NAPTIP also reassured the public that there would be no sacred cows. “No one is above the law. Whether you wear a cassock, agbada, or business suit, once allegations are credible, we will act,” said Adekoye.

As of Saturday afternoon, the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries had not issued any official response to the allegations or the NAPTIP investigation order.

However, sources close to the church leadership said an emergency meeting was held Friday night at MFM’s Prayer City headquarters along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. Attendees reportedly included key church administrators, senior pastors, and legal advisors.

“We were instructed not to discuss the matter publicly and to refer all media inquiries to the church’s legal department,” said one senior pastor who spoke on condition of anonymity.

There are indications that MFM’s crisis management strategy may involve both legal pushback and internal PR campaigns aimed at defending Dr. Olukoya’s reputation.

This latest scandal is not occurring in a vacuum. Nigeria has, in recent years, witnessed a troubling pattern of abuse allegations against high-profile religious figures.

Cases involving rape, emotional manipulation, financial exploitation, and cover-ups have increasingly come to light, sparking fierce debate about the culture of impunity surrounding “men of God.”

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Faith-based organizations in Nigeria wield enormous social influence. Their leaders are revered almost to the point of infallibility by millions of adherents, making it difficult for victims to speak out or seek justice.

Critics argue that the culture of silence, fear, and blind loyalty often emboldens abusers and enables systemic cover-ups.

In 2022, the rape trial of another prominent Nigerian pastor collapsed amid allegations of witness intimidation and procedural sabotage, further eroding public confidence in the system’s ability to hold powerful clerics accountable.

Several legal experts have welcomed NAPTIP’s intervention in the Olukoya case, describing it as a test of Nigeria’s commitment to rule of law and human rights.

Barrister Amaka Njoku, a human rights advocate based in Abuja, said: “This investigation is a watershed moment. It’s not just about Dr. Olukoya; it’s about sending a message that religious leaders are not untouchable.”

She added, “Victims deserve justice, and religious institutions must be held to the same legal standards as any other organization.”

Similarly, Professor Adewale Akintola of the University of Lagos Law Faculty warned that due process must be strictly adhered to. “The rights of the accused must also be respected. It’s a delicate balance, but ultimately the truth must emerge.”

The news of NAPTIP’s probe has divided opinion across Nigeria.

While many Nigerians have praised the agency for its proactive stance, others—particularly members of MFM—have expressed skepticism or outright dismissal of the allegations.

On social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook, hashtags such as #JusticeForVictims and #PrayForOlukoya have trended simultaneously.

One user wrote: “If these allegations are true, it will be the biggest betrayal of trust in Nigeria’s Pentecostal movement.”

Another, presumably an MFM adherent, posted: “The devil is trying to bring down a man of God. We must pray for Dr. Olukoya.”

Beyond the immediate case, experts say there is a need for systemic reforms to address abuse within religious organizations.

Proposed measures include:

• Mandatory safeguarding policies for all faith-based organizations;
• Independent oversight bodies to investigate complaints against religious leaders;
• Whistleblower protection laws tailored for victims of abuse in religious contexts;
• Public awareness campaigns to deconstruct the culture of blind allegiance to spiritual leaders.

NAPTIP, for its part, has promised to propose legislative amendments that will empower the agency to prosecute cases of abuse occurring under the cover of religious or traditional authority.

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As Nigeria watches closely, the investigation into Dr. Olukoya could set a major precedent in the country’s struggle to reconcile faith and justice.

Whether or not the allegations are proven, NAPTIP’s proactive approach already marks a significant cultural shift: from impunity to accountability, from silence to action.

As the Director-General herself reportedly told her team, “The sacredness of faith must never be used to desecrate the dignity of the human person.”

The coming weeks will reveal whether Nigeria is ready to break from a painful past—or remain trapped in a cycle where power, cloaked in piety, is weaponized against the most vulnerable.

For now, all eyes remain on NAPTIP, the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries, and most importantly, the pursuit of truth and justice.