A Lagos-based cleric and founder of Heaven’s Gateway Ministries, Apostle Chikere Nwafor, has been accused by her ex-husband, Martin Ugbulu, of forgery, financial fraud, and endangering his life amid a protracted dispute over church funds and jointly owned properties in Nigeria and the UK.
Speaking to Standarddailypress, Martin alleged that Nwafor colluded with a surveyor to forge property documents, attempting to claim sole ownership of a house they built together at Amen Estate, Lagos. He said he only discovered his omission from the property deed in November 2024, despite contributing fully to the property.
“I trusted her completely because we were married. In marriage, one plus one is one. I had no idea she had criminal intentions to rob me of my investments in Nigeria,” Martin said.
Alleged Diversion of Church Funds in the UK
Martin further accused the cleric of diverting large sums of money from church transactions in London into her personal account. He claimed that while managing Heaven’s Gateway Ministries in the UK, she collected at least £100,000 in deposits from churches interested in purchasing the ministry’s building, including Church of God Mission, but failed to refund the money when the deals fell through.
He explained that he had personally helped set up the building, managing the mortgage and other arrangements. Yet when buyers could not complete purchases, Nwafor allegedly kept the funds in her personal account, leaving him to refund part of the money himself.
Martin also accused her of misrepresenting lease payments from tenants in London, claiming she collected £10,000 monthly while falsely reporting lower amounts to trustees, then moving the money to Nigeria without accountability.
Property Dispute and Alleged Threats
Upon returning to Nigeria for treatment for stage-three prostate cancer, Martin discovered that Nwafor had taken control of their new house documents and removed his name from the deed. He alleged that she enlisted a surveyor friend to forge additional documents, which he later found to be fake.
He also described feeling unsafe after a confrontation regarding her relationship with another man, saying he was later accused of attempted murder and cyberbullying—charges he claims were meant to intimidate him. Martin said Nwafor and her associates recently broke into the Lagos property with a locksmith and several men, heightening his fears for his safety.
Cleric Unresponsive
Attempts to reach Apostle Chikere Nwafor for comment were unsuccessful, as she did not respond to calls or messages.
Martin emphasized that he remains co-owner of the properties and fears for his life and possessions, calling the alleged actions “criminal behaviour” that continues to endanger him.
standarddailypress continues to follow the case as legal proceedings unfold.
