A Lagos Federal High Court grants Doris Ogala N30m bail over alleged cyberstalking, with strict conditions to protect witnesses and ensure her attendance at trial

The Federal High Court in Lagos has granted Nollywood actress Doris Ogala bail of N30m with two sureties over alleged cyberstalking and other offences involving Pastor Chris Okafor.

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Justice Akintayo Aluko granted the application on Friday, November 6, 2026, but imposed conditions requiring the actress to surrender her international passport and refrain from electronic publications capable of harassing, threatening or intimidating prosecution witnesses.

In his ruling, the judge said the conditions were necessary to balance Ogala’s constitutional right to liberty with the need to protect witnesses and preserve the integrity of the trial.

“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,” Aluko said.

The judge also expressed concern over Ogala’s alleged conduct during proceedings on October 28, 2026, when he said her actions disrupted the court’s sitting and resulted in the emergency adjournment of 10 cases.

He said the incident raised concerns about the possibility of further disruption outside the courtroom.

“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,” the judge said.

However, Aluko acknowledged that Ogala had apologised for her conduct and emphasised that she remained presumed innocent under the Constitution.

The court also considered the prosecution’s concerns that the actress could use her social media accounts and other online platforms to intimidate or harass witnesses.

Consequently, the judge restrained her from making unwarranted electronic publications capable of exposing prosecution witnesses to public harassment, ridicule, threats or intimidation, or distorting the court proceedings.

Aluko further ordered Ogala to enter into a recognisance on oath to maintain good behaviour and avoid misconduct within the courtroom and its premises throughout the trial.

The actress had filed her bail application on October 27, 2026, following an application dated October 26.

The request was brought under Section 35(5) of the Constitution and Sections 158 and 162 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.

Opposing the application, the prosecution alleged that Ogala had deliberately failed to attend previous court proceedings on April 23 and June 9, 2026, claiming ill health.

It presented photographs which it said showed the actress participating in political activities, public gatherings, campaigns and protests during the period she reportedly claimed to be unwell.

The prosecution also argued that the allegations involved the use of social media to publish and distribute electronic materials forming part of its evidence, raising concerns about possible interference with witnesses.

However, the defence maintained that the offences were bailable and argued that Ogala would not commit another offence, interfere with witnesses or evade trial if released.

Her lawyers attributed her previous absences to ill health and urged the court to grant bail to enable her to prepare for trial and pursue her governorship ambition.

In considering the application, Aluko referred to Section 162 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, which provides for bail while recognising circumstances that may justify refusal, including the likelihood of committing another offence, evading trial or interfering with investigations.

The judge also cited the Supreme Court’s decision in Suleiman’s case, which outlines principles guiding judicial discretion in bail applications.

“The main function of bail is to ensure the presence of the accused at trial. That is the touchstone of all the criteria,” he said.

Aluko held that the application should be granted in the interest of justice, subject to conditions designed to secure Ogala’s attendance and protect the prosecution’s witnesses.

Under the conditions, the actress must provide two sureties in like sum.

One of the sureties must either own property in Lagos State, supported by verifiable and certified registration documents from the Land Registry, or be a prominent national officer of her political party or a person of recognised standing.

Both sureties must be persons of reliable means, reside within the court’s jurisdiction and undergo verification by the court registrar.

They must also submit tax clearance certificates covering the previous three years and provide two recent passport photographs each.

Ogala is additionally required to surrender her international passport to the registrar.

The judge directed that she be released from custody once all the bail conditions have been fulfilled.

Earlier, when the case was called, the actress was absent from court.

Her lawyer, Marshal Abubakar, informed the judge that she was receiving treatment at a hospital in Ajegunle following a gynaecological surgery.

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Abubakar told the court that the surgery had resulted in bleeding, explaining the reason for her absence from the proceedings.