An Ikeja High Court in Lagos State has fixed Wednesday, April 16, 2026, to deliver its ruling in a suit filed by Nigerian cleric Chris Okafor against Nollywood actress Doris Ogala, social media personality Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, and commentator Kelvin Emmanuel.
The matter came up on Wednesday before Justice Akintunde Savage. Counsel to the claimant, Mr Ife Ajayi, told the court that all the defendants had been duly served in line with proof of service issued by the court’s Sheriff. He also applied for additional time to regularise some preliminary processes.
However, counsel to the first defendant, Mr Nzeakor Atulomah, informed the court of a preliminary objection dated Thursday, January 29, 2026. He argued that the writ of summons filed by the claimant did not comply with Section 97 of the Sheriff and Civil Process Act, which he described as mandatory.
He urged the court to strike out the suit, stating, “The first defendant is not based in Lagos. The claimant even said that all the defendants are based in Abuja and not Lagos.”
According to him, the originating processes were served outside the territorial jurisdiction of the Lagos court, which he said made the service defective.
In reply, Ajayi relied on a counter affidavit dated Monday, February 10, 2026, and sought leave of court to amend the processes already filed. He insisted that the writ of summons complied with the law.
After hearing arguments from both parties, Justice Savage adjourned the case to Wednesday, April 16, 2026, for ruling on the preliminary objection.
Court records show that on Sunday, February 2, 2026, the court granted leave for the notice of preliminary objection to be served on the defendants electronically.
Earlier, on Wednesday, January 22, 2026, the court had granted an interim order restraining the defendants from further mentioning or referring to Okafor, his church, or his 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 restrained the defendants, their agents or associates from publishing or releasing any alleged private materials, including chats, conversations, texts, pictures, images or videos relating to the claimant.
The court also barred them from mentioning Okafor’s name, displaying his pictures, images or videos, and from mentioning the name of his church, Grace Nation International, also known as Liberation City, whether orally or in writing, pending the conclusion of the case.
In addition, the defendants were restrained from releasing to the public or any third party materials allegedly intended to blackmail or extort money from the claimant until the suit is finally determined.