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 filed by the cleric.
Justice M. A. Savage issued the order on Thursday while ruling on an ex-parte application brought by Dr Okafor, who is the claimant in suit number ID/14399GCMW/2026. Doris Ogala, VDM and Kelvin Emmanuel are listed as the first, second and third defendants respectively.
The ex-parte application was filed 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 his ruling, Justice Savage barred the defendants, either by themselves or through their agents, from publishing, releasing or circulating any alleged private materials relating to the claimant. These include chats, conversations, text messages, pictures, images or videos, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.
The court specifically ordered that the defendants must refrain from mentioning Dr Chris Okafor’s name, pictures, images or videos, as well as the name of his church, Grace Nation International, also known as Liberation City, whether orally or in writing, on 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 outcome of the case.
The judge also granted an order for substituted service, directing that the claimant’s originating processes — including the writ of summons, list of witnesses, statements on oath and other accompanying documents — be served on the defendants through a newspaper advertisement.
The matter was adjourned to February 2, 2026, for hearing.
