Relief has come the way of a pastor, Dr. Chris Okafor as Justice Akintunde Savage of a Lagos State High Court, Ikeja granted him leave to serve notice of preliminary objection via electronic means on a social media influencer, Martins Vincent Otse, alias VeryDarkMan, a Nollywood actress, Doris Ogala and Kelvin Emmanuel.
The relief follows a case filed by Chris Okafor against Doris Ogala, VDM and Emmanuel, the claimant sought relief in a Suit no. ID/14399GCMW/2026.
The defendants are listed as first to third defendants respectively.
Subsequently, Justice Savage on Monday granted the leave to serve VDM and Emmanuel, second and third defendants respectively through their active social handles, following their absence in court.
Chris Okafor to serve process on defendants via social media accounts
“Leave is hereby granted to the first defendant to serve the second and the third defendants on their WhatsApp, Instagram and other active social media accounts.
“Sheiff must confirm proof of service.
“The case is hereby adjourned the case until February 25 for proof of service and hearing of preliminary objections,” Justice Savage said.
Prior to when the case was called, the claimant and the three defendants were absent in court.
Mr. Ife Ajayi represented the claimant, just as Mr. Nathan Atulonah announced appearance for Ogala.
Ajayi told the court that the claimant had complied with the order of the court by publishing the claimant’s originating process in Vanguard newspaper.
The claimant’s counsel told the court that all the defendants were served through the national dailies because his client did not know their direct physical addresses.
According to Ajayi, serving the defendants via their social media accounts can lead to denial by them.
Counsel to Ogala, however, in his notice of preliminary objection dated January 29 and filed on January 30, sought the order of the court to serve the second and third defendants through their direct verified Instagram and WhatsApp accounts.
There was no objection from the claimants counsel.
Court had on January 22 restrained the defendants from further mentioning or referring to Okafor, his church or ministry on any platform pending the determination of a substantive suit the cleric filed against them.
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.
Justice Savage, ruling on the ex-parte application filed by Okafor’s counsel had also barred the defendants and their agents from publishing or releasing any alleged private materials, including chats, conversations, texts, pictures, images or videos relating to the claimant.
Specifically, the judge had ordered that the defendants must refrain from mentioning Okafor’s name, pictures, images or videos, as well as the name of his church, Grace Nation International (Liberation City), whether orally or in writing, across social media or any other media platforms.
The judge had further restrained the defendants from releasing to the public or third parties any materials said to be used to blackmail or extort money from the claimant, pending the final determination of the suit.
