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Court Grants Doris Ogala ₦30m Bail in Chris Okafor Cyberstalking Case, Orders Surrender of International Passport
Court Grants Doris Ogala ₦30m Bail in Chris Okafor Cyberstalking Case, Orders Surrender of International Passport
The Federal High Court in Lagos has granted Nollywood actress Doris Ogala bail in the sum of ₦30 million, with two sureties in like sum, over allegations of cyberstalking and other offences involving popular cleric, Pastor Chris Okafor.
The bail was granted on Friday, November 6, 2026, by Justice Akintayo Aluko, who imposed stringent conditions aimed at ensuring Ogala’s attendance throughout the trial while preventing any possible intimidation, harassment or interference with prosecution witnesses.
As part of the conditions, the court ordered the actress to surrender her international passport to the registrar and restrained her from making electronic publications capable of exposing prosecution witnesses to harassment, threats, intimidation or public ridicule.
In his ruling, Justice Aluko explained that the court had carefully considered the need to balance Ogala’s constitutional right to personal liberty with its responsibility to protect witnesses and safeguard the integrity of the judicial process.
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“I have taken all of the above into account in a bid to attach conditions that will guarantee or ensure the defendant’s attendance in court for her trial, and the need to protect the witnesses of the prosecution from harassment, threat or intimidation,” The judge said.
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Justice Aluko also expressed serious concern over Ogala’s alleged conduct during proceedings on October 28, 2026, when her behaviour reportedly disrupted the court’s sitting and forced the emergency adjournment of 10 cases.
According to the judge, the incident raised concerns about the possibility of further disruptions if the defendant was released without appropriate safeguards.
“By her misconduct and conduct in the open court, when she disrupted proceedings and caused a series of adjournments without any justification on the 28th of October, 2026, the defendant has exposed herself as a person capable of fomenting trouble when she is outside the courtroom,” he said.
However, the judge acknowledged that Ogala had apologised to the court over her conduct, stressing that the apology did not diminish her constitutional protection as an accused person who had not been convicted.
“That notwithstanding, the defendant is still presumed innocent by the provision of the Constitution,” he added.
The court also took into consideration the prosecution’s concerns that Ogala could potentially deploy her social media accounts and other public online platforms to intimidate or harass witnesses expected to testify against her.
Addressing the issue, Justice Aluko specifically prohibited electronic publications that could compromise the safety and dignity of prosecution witnesses or undermine the credibility of the proceedings.
“Any unwarranted electronic publication capable of exposing the prosecuting witnesses to public harassment, ridicule, threat or intimidation, which is equally capable of exposing the proceedings of the court to ridicule and distortion, is accordingly restrained and disallowed,” he said.
Beyond the financial and travel restrictions, the court directed Ogala to enter into a recognisance on oath to maintain good behaviour throughout the trial. She was specifically warned against any form of misconduct within the courtroom or its premises.
The actress had approached the court through a bail application dated October 26 and filed on October 27, 2026, relying on Section 35(5) of the 1999 Constitution, as well as Sections 158 and 162 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.
In opposing the application, the prosecution raised concerns about what it described as Ogala’s previous failure to honour court proceedings, alleging that she deliberately absented herself from hearings scheduled for April 23 and June 9, 2026, on the grounds of ill health.
To support its position, the prosecution reportedly tendered pictorial evidence which it claimed showed the actress participating in political activities, public gatherings, campaigns and protests during the same period she allegedly claimed to be medically indisposed.
The prosecution further argued that the nature of the allegations against Ogala, which involved the use of social media to publish and circulate electronic materials forming part of its evidence, created the possibility of interference with witnesses if she was granted bail without adequate restrictions.
However, the defence strongly maintained that the offences were bailable and that there was no sufficient justification to keep the actress in custody pending trial.
Her lawyers assured the court that Ogala would not commit another offence, interfere with witnesses or evade the judicial process if released on bail.
The defence also attributed her previous absence from court to health challenges, insisting that her condition accounted for her inability to attend the earlier proceedings.
Counsel urged the court to grant the application, arguing that her release would enable her to adequately prepare for her trial and continue pursuing her governorship ambition.
In determining the application, Justice Aluko examined Section 162 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, which provides the legal framework for granting bail while identifying circumstances that could justify its refusal.
Such circumstances include the likelihood that an accused person may commit another offence, escape or evade trial, interfere with investigations or otherwise obstruct the administration of justice.
The judge also relied on the Supreme Court’s decision in Suleiman’s case, which established important principles guiding judicial discretion in the determination of bail applications.
Emphasising the fundamental purpose of bail, Justice Aluko stated, “The main function of bail is to ensure the presence of the accused at trial. That is the touchstone of all the criteria.”
He further stressed that judicial discretion must be exercised judicially and judiciously, taking into consideration the peculiar facts, evidence and circumstances surrounding each application.
Having considered the arguments presented by both the prosecution and defence, the judge eventually ruled that Ogala’s bail application should be granted in the interest of justice, although subject to conditions designed to address the concerns raised by the prosecution.
Under the conditions, the actress is required to produce two sureties, each entering into a recognisance of ₦30 million.
One of the sureties must either own a property in Lagos State, supported by verifiable evidence of registration at the Land Registry duly certified by the Registrar of Deeds, or be a prominent national officer of her political party or a prominent person of established reputation.
The court further stipulated that both sureties must be persons of reliable financial means, reside within the jurisdiction of the court and undergo verification by the court registrar.
They are also required to submit tax clearance certificates covering the last three years, alongside two recent passport photographs each.
Ogala, on her part, must surrender her international passport to the court registrar and provide an undertaking to maintain good behaviour and refrain from actions capable of disrupting the trial or intimidating witnesses.
Justice Aluko directed that once all the bail conditions have been fulfilled, the actress should be released from custody forthwith.
Meanwhile, proceedings earlier witnessed an absence of the defendant when the matter was called, prompting her lawyer to explain her whereabouts to the court.
Ogala’s counsel, Marshal Abubakar, informed the court that his client was receiving medical attention at General Hospital, Ajegunle, following a gynaecological surgery.
Explaining the reason for her absence, the lawyer told the court, “The defendant is currently receiving treatment at General Hospital in Ajegunle following a gynaecological surgery, which has resulted in bleeding.”
The development adds another significant chapter to the ongoing legal dispute involving the actress and Pastor Chris Okafor, with the court’s decision now allowing Ogala to prepare for and participate in her trial outside custody, provided she satisfies the stringent bail requirements imposed by the court.
It is important to note that the bail ruling does not amount to a determination of guilt or innocence. Ogala remains presumed innocent under the law until the allegations against her are established before a competent court.
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