The legal team representing renowned Nigerian cleric, Pastor Chris Okafor, has issued a stern and unambiguous warning to Nollywood actress Doris Ogala, prominent social media influencer VeryDarkMan (VDM), as well as various other bloggers and online personalities, demanding that they formally present proof of the allegations leveled against the pastor to the Nigerian Police. The warning comes with a clear threat of criminal prosecution should they fail to comply promptly.
Speaking with journalists during a press briefing in Lagos, Ife Ajayi, Lead Partner at Sovereignty LP and legal counsel for Pastor Okafor, described the allegations as “false, malicious, and part of a coordinated campaign of cyberbullying, blackmail, and public incitement designed to tarnish my client’s reputation and incite the public against him.”
Ajayi detailed that the controversy, which resurfaced on social media in December 2025, originally stemmed from claims made by Doris Ogala and was subsequently amplified by bloggers and online platforms without providing Pastor Okafor the opportunity to respond or defend himself publicly. He stressed that this was a deliberate effort to influence public perception before any formal investigation could take place.
According to Ajayi, the dispute began in late 2024 following a business engagement involving Doris Ogala and a third-party entity. Pastor Okafor had participated in preliminary discussions but withdrew from the arrangement after determining that the expected outcomes could not be achieved or guaranteed. Following his withdrawal, Ogala allegedly accused the pastor of owing her ₦45 million, a claim that Ajayi emphasized is entirely baseless and unsubstantiated.
“Each time one allegation failed to gain traction in the public eye, another would follow immediately. It was a systematic attempt to see which claim would stick and gain viral attention,” Ajayi said, highlighting the deliberate pattern of online harassment and manipulation of public opinion against his client.
Ajayi further revealed that Doris Ogala had previously faced legal action herself, having been arrested and charged for cyberstalking, cyberbullying, and threats in relation to prior online campaigns. That case, he noted, was eventually resolved through an out-of-court settlement. He pointed out that during the earlier proceedings, Ogala had never made any claims of rape, sexual assault, or an affair involving Pastor Okafor. Such allegations, he clarified, only emerged after the terms of the earlier settlement were allegedly breached.
In response to renewed online attacks and social media posts, fresh complaints were formally lodged with the Nigerian Police, which resulted in Ogala being arrested and interrogated to ascertain the veracity of her claims. Ajayi also criticized VDM and other digital content creators for overstepping their roles, stating that their platforms are being misused to act simultaneously as accuser, investigator, prosecutor, and judge.
“You cannot assume all four roles at once—accuser, investigator, prosecutor, and judge—and expect it to be lawful or fair. Allegations as severe as rape or murder are not matters for social media commentary or public spectacle. They must be formally reported to law enforcement for due process,” Ajayi emphasized, warning that failure to follow proper channels would carry legal consequences.
Ajayi confirmed that formal criminal complaints have already been filed against individuals found spreading the unverified claims and reiterated the legal position of Pastor Okafor: Doris Ogala, VDM, and all associated bloggers must immediately submit concrete evidence of their allegations to the Nigerian Police, or they risk facing full-scale criminal prosecution under the country’s cybercrime and defamation laws. The legal team made it clear that no leniency would be shown in addressing deliberate misinformation and attempts to defame the pastor.
The press briefing concluded with a firm warning that the era of online impunity is over, particularly when it involves false allegations against public figures, and reiterated that Nigerian law provides clear procedures to handle such claims while ensuring that all parties are held accountable in a court of law.