A Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja has restrained social media influencer Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), actress Doris Ogala and 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.
Justice M. A. Savage issued the order on Thursday following an ex-parte application filed by Dr Okafor, the claimant in the suit marked ID/14399GCMW/2026.
The defendants in the matter are Doris Ogala, VDM and Kelvin Emmanuel, listed as first to third defendants respectively.
The ex-parte application was brought pursuant to Order 43 Rules 1, 2 and 7 of the High Court of Lagos State (Civil Procedure) Rules 2019, and under the court’s inherent jurisdiction.
In his ruling, Justice Savage barred the defendants and their agents from publishing, circulating or releasing any alleged private materials relating to the claimant, including chats, conversations, text messages, photographs, images or videos, on social media or any other platform.
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, across any media platform.
The judge further restrained the defendants from releasing to the public or third parties any materials alleged to be intended for blackmail or extortion of the claimant, pending the final determination of the suit.
Justice Savage 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 documents — be served through publication in a national newspaper.
The matter was adjourned to February 2, 2026, for hearing.