Pastor Chris Okafor Sues VeryDarkMan for Cybercrime, Demands Fresh DNA Test to Clear His Name

Senior pastor of Grace Nation International, Pastor Chris Okafor, has taken decisive legal action against controversial social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), over allegations he says have damaged his reputation and ministry.

The pastor’s legal team has now filed a lawsuit accusing VeryDarkMan of cyber incitement, cyberbullying, cyber harassment, cyberstalking, criminal defamation, and malicious impersonation, marking a major escalation in a scandal that has dominated Nigerian social media discourse in recent weeks.

According to a statement issued by Pastor Okafor’s lawyer, the lawsuit follows a series of viral videos and posts shared by VeryDarkMan, which allegedly made insinuations about the pastor’s personal life and linked him to a young woman whose identity and relationship to the clergyman became the subject of intense online speculation.

The lawyer described the allegations as reckless, malicious, and designed to provoke public outrage without evidence, stressing that the damage caused goes beyond personal embarrassment and extends to threats against the pastor’s safety, ministry, and followers.

At the center of the legal dispute is the demand by Pastor Chris Okafor for a fresh DNA test involving the lady who appeared in a video circulated by VeryDarkMan.

The lawyer explained that the pastor is seeking the test as a definitive and transparent way to clear his name and put an end to the controversy. While acknowledging that a DNA test was allegedly conducted in the past, the legal team stated that Pastor Okafor is now requesting a new test due to the public nature of the accusations and the scale of misinformation currently circulating online.

The lawyer emphasized that the decision to request a fresh DNA test is not an admission of guilt but rather an attempt to confront the allegations head-on using verifiable scientific evidence. He noted that the pastor believes truth should be established clearly and publicly, especially given the damage the claims have already caused to his reputation both in Nigeria and abroad.

Addressing another major point of controversy, the lawyer clarified that Pastor Chris Okafor’s relationship with the lady in question was purely humanitarian.

According to him, the pastor supported and sponsored her relocation to Canada out of goodwill and compassion, not because she is his biological daughter or due to any hidden personal relationship. He described the assistance as part of the pastor’s long-standing tradition of supporting vulnerable individuals, students, and families in need, a practice that has been widely documented through the church’s charity initiatives.

The legal team further accused VeryDarkMan of deliberately twisting acts of generosity into scandalous narratives to generate online engagement, provoke outrage, and attract attention. They argued that such actions amount to cyber harassment and criminal defamation, especially when shared with a large audience without verification or balance.

This lawsuit adds another layer to the growing debate in Nigeria over the role of social media activism, accountability, and the limits of online commentary. VeryDarkMan has built a reputation for exposing alleged wrongdoing by public figures, often earning praise from supporters who view him as fearless and outspoken.

However, critics argue that his methods frequently blur the line between activism and trial-by-social-media, where allegations spread faster than facts and reputations are damaged before due process can take place.

In the statement, Pastor Okafor’s lawyer warned that the case would test the boundaries of free speech versus defamation in the digital age. He stressed that while criticism and investigation are legitimate in a democracy, spreading unverified claims, impersonating narratives, and inciting public hostility cross legal and moral lines.

The lawsuit, he said, is intended not just to seek redress for Pastor Okafor but also to set a precedent against what he described as “digital lynching.”

The controversy has already sparked divided reactions online. Supporters of VeryDarkMan insist he is being targeted for speaking truth to power and have framed the lawsuit as an attempt to silence a critic.

On the other hand, many Nigerians have rallied behind Pastor Okafor, arguing that religious leaders and public figures also deserve legal protection against false and damaging accusations. Some commentators have welcomed the call for a DNA test, describing it as a bold move that could bring clarity and shut down speculation once and for all.

Legal analysts note that the outcome of the case could have far-reaching implications, particularly as Nigerian courts increasingly confront cases involving cybercrime, online defamation, and influencer accountability. With social media now a powerful force capable of shaping public opinion overnight, the balance between exposure and responsibility remains a sensitive issue.

As of the time of filing this report, VeryDarkMan has not officially responded to the lawsuit or the demand for a fresh DNA test. It also remains unclear when the court proceedings will commence or whether any out-of-court resolution is being considered.

What is certain, however, is that the dispute between Pastor Chris Okafor and VeryDarkMan has moved beyond social media exchanges into the legal arena. With reputations, credibility, and legal precedents on the line, the case is expected to remain in the spotlight as Nigerians closely watch how truth, evidence, and the law intersect in one of the country’s most talked-about digital controversies.

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