Ikeja High Court fixes April 16 for ruling in Pastor Chris Okafor’s suit against Doris Ogala, VeryDarkMan, and Kelvin Emmanuel over alleged online defamation

An Ikeja High Court has scheduled April 16, 2026, to deliver its ruling in a suit filed by Nigerian pastor Dr Chris Okafor against Nollywood actress Doris Ogala, social media influencer Martins Otse, and Kelvin Emmanuel.

Also read: Doris Ogala claims Pastor Okafor used police to silence her

The suit, marked ID/14399GCMW/2026, lists Ogala, Otse, and Emmanuel as first, second, and third defendants respectively.

Justice Akintunde Savage heard arguments on Wednesday regarding a preliminary objection filed by the first defendant.

Counsel for the claimant, Ife Ajayi, informed the court that all defendants had been properly served and sought additional time to regularise certain preliminary processes.

Counsel for the first defendant, Nzeakor Atulomah, argued that service of the writ of summons on Ogala was outside the court’s jurisdiction and urged the suit be struck out for non-compliance with Section 97 of the Sheriff and Civil Process Act.

Ajayi countered with a February 10 counter-affidavit and requested the court’s leave to amend the processes, maintaining that the writ of summons was properly filed in accordance with the law.

Earlier, the court had on February 2 granted leave for service of the preliminary objection by electronic means.

On January 22, the court had issued an interim order restraining the defendants from mentioning or referring to Okafor, his church, Grace Nation International, or his ministry on any platform until the substantive suit is determined.

The interim injunction bars the defendants from publishing or releasing any alleged private materials, including chats, images, videos, or texts related to the claimant.

They are also restrained from public references to Okafor, his church, or any material allegedly intended to blackmail or extort him until the case is resolved.