Court Adjourns Pastor Okafor’s Suit Against Doris Ogala to February 25

An Ikeja High Court on Monday adjourned the suit filed by embattled cleric, Dr. Chris Okafor, against his estranged girlfriend and Nollywood actress, Doris Ogala, to February 25, 2026, for proof of service and hearing of preliminary objections.
The court also granted leave for service of court processes on social media influencer Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), and one Kelvin Emmanuel, through electronic means.

Justice Akintunde Savage issued the order following an application by Okafor, founder and pastor of Grace Nation International, also known as Liberation City, who sued Ogala, VDM and Emmanuel as first, second and third defendants respectively in Suit No: ID/14399GCMW/2026.
Granting the application, the judge permitted service of the notice of preliminary objection on the second and third defendants via their active WhatsApp, Instagram and other social media accounts, noting their absence in court.
The court ruled:
“Leave is hereby granted to serve the second and third defendants on their WhatsApp, Instagram and other active social media platforms. The Sheriff must confirm proof of service. This matter is adjourned till February 25 for proof of service and hearing of preliminary objections.”
When the matter was called, Mr. Ife Ajayi appeared for the claimant, while Mr. Nathan Atulonah represented the first defendant, Ogala. There was no legal representation for the second and third defendants.
Ajayi informed the court that the claimant had complied with earlier court directives by publishing the originating processes in a national daily, Vanguard newspaper, explaining that the defendants’ physical addresses were unknown. He expressed concern that service through social media could be denied by the defendants.
However, counsel to the first defendant, in a notice of preliminary objection dated January 29, requested that the court order service on the second and third defendants through their verified Instagram and WhatsApp accounts. The application was not opposed by the claimant’s counsel.
The court recalled that on January 22, it had granted an interim order restraining the defendants from further mentioning or referring to Okafor, his church or ministry on any platform, pending the determination of the substantive suit.
The interim order followed an ex parte application brought under Order 43 Rules 1, 2 and 7 of the High Court of Lagos State (Civil Procedure) Rules 2019.
Justice Savage further restrained the defendants, their agents or privies from publishing or releasing any alleged private materials, including chats, messages, conversations, pictures, images or videos relating to the claimant.
The court also barred the defendants from mentioning Okafor’s name, displaying his images or videos, or referencing Grace Nation International (also known as Liberation City), whether orally or in writing, pending the final determination of the suit.
Additionally, the defendants were restrained from releasing any material allegedly intended to blackmail or extort money from the claimant.
In recent times, Pastor Okafor has been involved in controversies surrounding his personal relationships, with several women publicly alleging maltreatment.
Additional reports by NAN.