The legal team of Lagos-based cleric, Pastor Chris Okafor, has challenged actress Doris Ogala, social media influencer Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), and other online commentators to submit concrete evidence of alleged rape and related claims against him to the Nigeria Police Force or face possible criminal action.
Gatekeepers News reports that speaking with journalists in Lagos on Wednesday, counsel to the cleric, Mr Ife Ajayi, described the allegations circulating on social media as false, malicious and part of what he termed a coordinated campaign of cyberbullying, blackmail and public incitement aimed at damaging his client’s reputation.
Ajayi said the claims, which resurfaced prominently in December 2025, were initiated by Ogala and subsequently amplified by bloggers and online platforms without verification or Pastor Okafor’s response.
“Our client is a law-abiding Nigerian who has never been indicted for any of the allegations being bandied online. What we are witnessing is a trial by social media, not a lawful process,” Ajayi said.
Tracing the origin of the dispute, the lawyer said it stemmed from a business relationship in late 2024 involving Ogala and a third party, from which Pastor Okafor later withdrew after concluding that the expected objectives could not be achieved.
According to Ajayi, Ogala later claimed that the cleric owed her ₦45 million, an allegation he described as unfounded, which he said later escalated into claims of a romantic relationship, financial demands and, eventually, serious criminal allegations.
He further alleged that the attacks intensified ahead of Pastor Okafor’s wedding in December 2025, when Ogala allegedly demanded cash compensation and later a house, while also questioning the cleric’s decision to marry.
Ajayi disclosed that Ogala had previously been arrested and charged with cyberstalking and related offences arising from similar conduct, a case he said was resolved through an out-of-court settlement approved by the court. Under the agreement, he said, Ogala received an agreed sum and undertook not to mention or engage Pastor Okafor publicly.
“At no point during those proceedings was any allegation of rape or sexual assault made. These claims only surfaced after the settlement was allegedly breached,” Ajayi said.
He added that fresh complaints were subsequently lodged with the police, leading to Ogala’s arrest and interrogation in Lagos shortly before Christmas 2025. According to him, she denied some of the more serious allegations attributed to her online during police questioning and was granted administrative bail.
The lawyer accused VDM and other online platforms of abusing their influence by promoting unverified allegations as facts, insisting that criminal claims should be reported to law enforcement rather than litigated on social media.
Ajayi said Pastor Okafor honoured police invitations and cooperated fully with investigations conducted by the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, adding that his client was released after responding to all queries.
He also criticised a recent online report featuring what he described as a faceless accuser, alleging it was part of a broader attempt to tarnish the cleric’s image.
Calling for restraint, Ajayi urged the public to allow the police to conclude their investigations, warning that mob justice driven by online narratives undermines due process.
“If these allegations are true, let those making them present witnesses and evidence to the police. Otherwise, we will pursue all legal remedies available to protect our client,” he said.
