A Lagos-based cleric and founder of Heaven’s Gateway Ministries, Apostle Chikere Nwafor, has been accused by her ex-husband and pastor, Martin Ugbulu, of forgery, diversion of church funds, threats to his life, and involvement in a controversial relationship with another cleric, amid a protracted dispute over jointly owned properties in Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
Martin alleged that Apostle Nwafor conspired with a surveyor to falsify property documents in a bid to take sole ownership of a house they jointly built at Amen Estate, Lagos. He said he only discovered in November 2024 that his name was excluded from the property documents, despite jointly financing the project during their marriage.
According to him, estate managers dealt exclusively with the cleric and failed to verify whether he had been compensated for his share. He further claimed that subsequent documents presented to him after complaints were later discovered to be forged.
Beyond the Lagos property, Martin accused the cleric of diverting substantial sums from church-related transactions in the UK into her personal bank account. He alleged that while overseeing Heaven’s Gateway Ministries in London, she received at least £100,000 in deposits from prospective buyers of the church building, including established Christian organisations, but failed to fully refund the money when the transactions collapsed.
He claimed that some deposits were paid directly into her personal account rather than a church or escrow account, contrary to charity regulations, and that he personally refunded part of the money to affected parties when she allegedly refused to do so.
According to Martin, after efforts to sell the UK property failed, the building was leased out, but rental income was allegedly misrepresented to church trustees and diverted for personal use before the cleric relocated to Nigeria. He also alleged that income from another UK property obtained under a remaining lease was collected without accountability.
The dispute later escalated into a personal and legal conflict. Martin alleged that after he confronted the cleric over what he described as inappropriate conduct and relationships, including her involvement with a younger man, he was invited by the police over allegations he described as baseless and intended to intimidate him. He said his lawyers subsequently filed a fundamental human rights suit against the cleric and the police.
Fresh controversy has now emerged following the circulation of an audio recording on social media, allegedly capturing a conversation between Martin and another cleric, Apostle Psalm Okpe. The recording, which has gone viral, relates to what Martin described as a “sexual oddity” involving Apostle Nwafor and Apostle Okpe.
Following public backlash, Apostle Okpe reportedly issued an apology, acknowledging inappropriate behaviour and expressing regret over the incident. The development has further fuelled public scrutiny of the cleric and her ministry.
Martin also claimed he fears for his safety, alleging that his residence was forcefully entered by the cleric, her partner, and other individuals while he was away. He said the incident deepened his concerns that his life may be in danger.
All allegations remain unproven. Efforts to obtain a response from Apostle Chikere Nwafor were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report, as calls and messages sent to her went unanswered.