A Nigerian ecclesiastical rights lawyer, Samuel Ihensekhien Junior, has petitioned the World Council of Churches (WCC) in Geneva, Switzerland, over alleged sustained attacks on Christianity, prophetic ministries and several Christian leaders by social media personality Martin Vincent Otse, popularly known as Very Dark Man (VDM), and individuals associated with him under the name “Ratels”.
In two separate open letters dated October 13, 2026, and addressed to the General Secretary of the World Council of Churches, Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay, and the Commission of the Churches on International Affairs (CCIA), Ihensekhien called for urgent intervention over what he described as a growing pattern of hostility towards the Christian faith and its leaders.
The lawyer disclosed that a similar complaint had earlier been forwarded to the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN).
According to the letters, VDM and members of the Ratels group have allegedly engaged in sustained online and public campaigns targeting Christianity and prominent Christian ministers, including Apostle Arome Osayi.
Ihensekhien also alleged that recent threats and hostile content had been directed at Apostle Seyi Magnus, claiming that social media platforms had become heavily populated with materials targeting Christian leaders.
The lawyer, who practises under Pathlegal and Co (International Legal Practitioners) and was recognised as a Daily Trust Nigeria 2026 Unsung Hero, warned that the alleged activities could escalate into a religious or ethno-religious crisis if left unchecked.
He cited historical instances of communal violence in parts of India, the Balkans during the 1990s, and previous flashpoints in Nigeria, arguing that inflammatory rhetoric against religious groups could contribute to violence, loss of lives and the destruction of places of worship.
Ihensekhien maintained that although freedom of expression is protected under Nigerian and international law, the right is not absolute and must be exercised within the limits established by law.
He referenced Article 20 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which requires the prohibition of advocacy of religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence.
The lawyer also cited relevant provisions of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, in support of his argument that freedom of expression must be balanced against protections against incitement and threats to public safety.
In the petition, Ihensekhien further referred to public reports alleging that VDM had been associated with traditional shrine practices, questioning what he described as a contrast between such associations and the alleged campaign against Christian ministers.
The lawyer also disclosed that he had previously been professionally involved in matters concerning VDM before later disengaging from the relevant suit.
He said that during his involvement, questions arose over the authenticity of certain documents, including alleged church receipts, in a matter that was pending before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
However, the allegations and claims contained in the petition have not been independently established in the information provided.
Ihensekhien is asking the World Council of Churches to take immediate notice of the alleged pattern of attacks and consider placing the matter before its relevant organs, including the General Council, where appropriate.
He also urged the global Christian body to press CAN and PFN to treat the matter with urgency and consider appropriate measures in response to the allegations.
Furthermore, the lawyer called on the WCC to urge the Nigerian Christian organisations, where the facts justify such action, to report the alleged conduct of VDM and associated individuals to relevant Nigerian security and regulatory agencies for investigation.
He also asked the international Christian organisation to consider independent international advocacy, monitoring and solidarity measures aimed at protecting religious freedom and addressing concerns over alleged hostility towards Christian leaders.
Copies of the letters were sent to the WCC’s Commission of the Churches on International Affairs, CAN and PFN.
The petition places the alleged online attacks and threats against Christian leaders before national and international religious organisations, with the lawyer arguing that early intervention could help prevent the escalation of tensions.
As of the time of filing this report, there was no immediate reaction from Martin Vincent Otse (Very Dark Man), CAN, PFN or the World Council of Churches regarding the petition and the allegations raised in it.