A Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja has issued an interim order restraining 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 Akintunde Savage, in a ruling delivered on Thursday, granted the interim reliefs following an ex-parte application filed by Dr Okafor, who is the claimant in the suit marked ID/14399GCMW/2026. VDM, Ogala and Emmanuel are listed as the 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 granting the application, Justice Savage restrained the defendants, their agents or privies from mentioning Dr 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 platform.

The court further barred the defendants from publishing, releasing or circulating any alleged private materials relating to the claimant, including chats, conversations, text messages, photographs, images or videos, pending the final determination of the suit.

Specifically, the judge restrained the defendants from releasing to the public or to third parties any materials allegedly intended to blackmail or extort money from the claimant while the substantive matter remains before the court.

The interim orders were made following arguments by counsel to the claimant, Mr Ife Ajayi, who urged the court to intervene to preserve the res and prevent further alleged harm to the claimant’s reputation pending trial.

Justice Savage also granted leave for substituted service of the originating processes on the defendants. The processes, including the writ of summons, list of witnesses, statements on oath and other accompanying documents, are to be served through publication in a national newspaper.

The matter was adjourned to February 2, 2026, for hearing.