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By Lukman Olabiyi
The legal team of popular cleric Pastor Chris Okafor has challenged social media influencer Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), actress Doris Ogala, and other individuals making allegations against him to present credible evidence to the Nigeria Police, warning that failure to do so would attract legal consequences.
Speaking at a press briefing in Lagos on Wednesday, counsel to the cleric, Ife Ajayi, described the allegations circulating on social media as false, malicious, and part of a coordinated campaign of cyberbullying, blackmail, and public incitement against his client.
Ajayi said the claims, which resurfaced in December 2025, were initiated by Ogala and later amplified by bloggers, influencers, and some online platforms without any attempt to seek Pastor Okafor’s response.
He maintained that Pastor Okafor is a law-abiding citizen and private individual whose reputation, he said, is being deliberately targeted through what he described as misinformation and sensationalism.
According to Ajayi, Ogala had earlier accused the cleric in late 2024 of owing her ₦45 million, a claim he said stemmed from a discontinued business arrangement.
He alleged that the dispute later degenerated into repeated online attacks, monetary demands, and claims of a personal relationship, which eventually escalated into allegations of rape, murder, and sexual misconduct.
The lawyer disclosed that Ogala had previously been arrested and charged for cyberstalking and cyberbullying over similar conduc,t but that the matter was settled out of court after Pastor Okafor opted to withdraw the case.
He said the settlement, which was adopted by the court, included an undertaking by Ogala not to mention Pastor Okafor’s name publicly or make further allegations against him.
“She collected a settlement sum and expressly agreed never to mention our client again. At no point during that process did she allege rape, sexual assault, or any affair. These allegations only surfaced after she violated the agreement,” Ajayi stated.
Ajayi further revealed that Ogala was again arrested before Christmas 2025 over fresh allegations and interrogated by the police in Lagos.
According to him, she reportedly denied making some of the most serious claims attributed to her online during police questioning.
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He added that she was granted administrative bail on health grounds and warned against returning to social media with unsubstantiated allegations.
The lawyer accused VDM and other platforms, including a podcast, of assuming the roles of accuser, investigator, and judge by urging members of the public to submit allegations online rather than report them to law enforcement agencies.
“If anyone has evidence of rape, murder, or any crime, the appropriate place is the police station, not social media,” Ajayi said, warning that freedom of speech does not extend to incitement or defamation.
He disclosed that Pastor Okafor had honoured police invitations, cooperated fully with investigators at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, and presented what he described as “irrefutable evidence” to refute allegations of sexual assault, child abuse or homicide.
Ajayi said the legal team is monitoring several social media accounts allegedly spreading false narratives and has filed criminal complaints against those involved.
He also issued a formal challenge to Ogala, VDM and other accusers to submit their allegations and evidence to the police within days.
“If they believe these allegations, they should swear to them, present witnesses, and submit proof to the authorities. Otherwise, we will pursue all legal remedies available,” he warned.
Ajayi also criticised a recent report by an online platform, SaharaReporters, which cited a faceless woman alleging rape by Pastor Okafor, describing the publication as part of an attempt to further damage his client’s reputation.
He urged the public to exercise restraint and allow ongoing police investigations to run their course, stressing that Pastor Okafor would not succumb to intimidation or blackmail.
“The truth will prevail. Social media trials cannot replace the justice system,” Ajayi concluded.
