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 mentioning or referring to Pastor Chris Okafor, his church, or ministry on any platform pending the determination of a substantive suit filed against them.
Justice M. A. Savage issued the order on Thursday while ruling on an ex-parte application filed by Pastor Okafor through his counsel, Mr Ife Ajayi. The suit is marked ID/14399GCMW/2026, with Pastor Okafor listed as the claimant, while Ogala, VDM, and Emmanuel are named as first to third defendants respectively.
The application was 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.
In the 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, photographs, images, or videos.
The court specifically ordered that the defendants must refrain from mentioning Pastor Chris Okafor’s name, images, or videos, as well as the name of his church, Grace Nation International, also known as Liberation City, whether orally or in writing, across social media or any other media platforms.
Justice Savage further restrained the defendants from releasing to the public or third parties any materials allegedly intended to blackmail or extort money from the claimant, pending the final determination of the suit.
The court also granted an order permitting substituted service of the originating processes—including the writ of summons, list of witnesses, statements on oath, and other relevant documents—through publication in a national newspaper.
The case was adjourned to February 2, 2026, for hearing.
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