A Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja has restrained social media influencer Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), actress Doris Ogala, and one Kelvin Chimaobi Emmanuel from further mentioning or referring to Dr Chris Okafor, his church or ministry on any platform pending the determination of a substantive suit before the court.
Justice M. A. Savage issued the order on Thursday while ruling on an ex-parte application filed by Dr Okafor, the presiding pastor of Grace Nation International, also known as Liberation City.
The suit, marked ID/14399GCMW/2026, lists Doris Ogala, VDM and Kelvin Emmanuel as the first, second and third defendants respectively.
The application, brought pursuant to Order 43 Rules 1, 2 and 7 of the High Court of Lagos State (Civil Procedure) Rules 2019, as well as under the court’s inherent jurisdiction, was argued by Dr Okafor’s counsel, Mr Ife Ajayi.
In his ruling, Justice Savage barred the defendants and their agents from publishing, releasing or circulating any alleged private materials relating to the claimant, including chats, conversations, text messages, pictures, images or videos.
The court specifically ordered that the defendants must refrain from mentioning Dr Chris Okafor’s name, images or videos, as well as the name of his church, whether orally or in writing, on social media or any other media platform pending the final determination of the case.
The judge further restrained the defendants from releasing to the public or third parties any materials allegedly intended to blackmail or extort money from the claimant.
Justice Savage also granted an order for substituted service, directing that the originating processes — including the writ of summons, list of witnesses and statements on oath — be served on the defendants through newspaper publication.
The matter was adjourned to February 2, 2026, for hearing.
