By ADENIKE AYODELE

An Ikeja High Court on Monday, granted leave to serve a notice of preliminary objection by electronic means, on a social media influencer, Martins Otse, a.k.a VeryDarkMan (VDM) and one Kelvin Emmanuel.

The court issued the directive following a suit filed by Nigerian pastor, Dr Chris Okafor, against a Nollywood actress Doris Ogala.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that in the suit marked ID/14399GCMW/2026, Okafor joined Ogala, VDM and Emmanuel, as first, second and third defendants respectively.

On Monday, Justice Akintunde Savage granted leave for the first defence counsel to serve the second and third defendants with the processes, through their active social media handles, following their absence in court.

The court held:

“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.

“Sheriff must confirm proof of service.

“The case is hereby adjourned until Feb .25, for proof of service and hearing of preliminary objections,” he said.

NAN reports that when the case was called earlier, Mr Ife Ajayi announced appearance for the claimant, while Mr Nathan Atulonah appeared for the first defendant, (Ogala).

There were no legal representatives for the second and third defendants.

Ajayi then informed the court that the claimant had complied with the order of the court by publishing the claimant’s originating process, in the Vanguard newspaper.

He told the court that all the defendants were served through the national dailies because the claimant did not know their physical addresses.

He argued that serving the defendants through their social media accounts, could lead to a denial by them.

Meanwhile, first defence counsel had in his notice of preliminary objection dated Jan. 29, sought the court’s order to serve the second and third defendants through their direct verified Instagram and WhatsApp accounts.

There was no objection from the claimant’s counsel.

NAN recalls that the court had on Jan.22, granted an interim order restraining the defendants from further mentioning or referring to Okafor, his church or ministry on any platform, pending determination of the substantive suit.

The interim order followed an ex-parte application brought pursuant to Order 43 Rules 1, 2 and 7 of the High Court of Lagos State (Civil Procedure) Rules 2019.

The court had issued restraining orders on the defendants, their agents or privies, from publishing or releasing any alleged private materials, including chats, conversations, texts, pictures, images or videos relating to the claimant.

The court had restrained the defendants from mentioning Okafor’s name, displaying his pictures, images or videos, as well as the name of his church, Grace Nation International (also known as Liberation City), whether orally or in writing, pending determination of the substantive suit.

The court had also restrained the defendants from releasing to the public or third parties, any material said to be used to blackmail or extort money from the claimant, pending the final determination of the suit. (NAN)