Anita Oyakhilome formally divorces Pastor Chris; pulls out of Christ Embassy

Anita finalises divorce from Chris Oyakhilome. Photo: Filed

Wife of Chris Oyakhilome,Anita Odegwa Oyakhilome, has finally completed the divorce proceedings with the General Overseer of Christ Embassy.

Anita had stated, through her lawyers,Attwaters Jameson Hill Solicitors, in her divorce file in suit No. FD14D01650 on April 9, 2014 at Divorce Section A, Central Family Court, First Avenue House, High Holborn, London, UK, that the marriage should be dissolved on the basis of ‘unreasonable behaviour’ amidst claims of marital unfaithfulness, which Oyakhilome continued to deny.

According to a statement released on the website of her United Kingdom-based attorneys (www.attwatersjamesonhill.co.uk), the divorce proceedings were finalised on February 8, 2016.

The statement reads: ‘We have been requested by Anita Oyakhilome to confirm that on February 8, 2016 a decree absolute was pronounced in the High Court of Justice Principal Registry of the Family Division dissolving her marriage to Christian Onehirokpeana Oyakhilome. Anita Oyakhilome would like to confirm that she is no longer involved in or part of Christ Embassy always known as Believers Loveworld Inc.’

News broke in 2014 that Anita reportedly made the first move to severe ties from her estranged husband by filing for divorce in a London court citing irreconcilable differences as reason for her decision.

Following the controversy, the ministry pulled down her profile from the church’s website, and her name was conspicuously missing from ‘Rhapsody of Realities’, a devotional she co-authored with her husband for many years.

Anita, who later took to blogging, wrote on her self-titled blog, www.pastoranita.org, messages which suggested that her marriage tothe pastor was rocky and abusive.

One of the messages, posted shortly after the controversy broke reads in part: ‘My story is not one of a bed of roses. Far from it but, I had a choice to either beat myself over the regret of tolerating abuse for so long or put a stop to the abuse and recreate my life for the best. My journey was not in vain. I can now help others realise that their situation does not define them. In order to move on with life, I have come to realise that nothing is permanent. Your problem is not permanent; you can do something to change it by ensuring you do not allow the situation or the person make your life miserable.’The couple’s marriage, produced two daughters, Sharon and Charlyn.