The Federal High Court in Lagos has granted actress Doris Ogala bail in the amount of N30m, with two sureties in the same sum, over allegations of cyberstalking and other offenses involving Pastor Chris Okafor.
Justice Akintayo Aluko, who granted the bail on Friday, 2026, nonetheless directed Ogala to hand over her international passport to the court registrar and barred her from making electronic publications that could intimidate or harass prosecution witnesses.
In his ruling, the judge stated that he was conscious of the need to balance the defendant’s constitutional right to liberty against the duty to protect witnesses and uphold the integrity of the trial.
He said, “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, threats, or intimidation.”
Justice Aluko voiced concern about the defendant’s behavior during the October 28, 2026 proceedings, which he stated disrupted the court’s sitting and led to an emergency adjournment of 10 cases.
He said, “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 did, however, acknowledge that the defendant had apologized to the court for her conduct.
He said, “That notwithstanding, the defendant is still presumed innocent by the provision of the Constitution.”
Justice Aluko also considered the prosecution’s concerns that Ogala could use her social media accounts and public online platforms to intimidate or harass witnesses.
He said, “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.”
Justice Aluko also directed Ogala to enter into a recognizance on oath to keep the peace and avoid any misconduct in the courtroom or its premises for the duration of the trial.
In an application dated October 26 and filed on October 27, 2026, the defendant had requested bail under Section 35(5) of the Constitution as well as Sections 158 and 162 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.
Opposing the application, the prosecution claimed that Ogala had deliberately skipped earlier proceedings on April 23 and June 9, 2026, citing ill health.
It tendered pictorial evidence, which, according to the prosecution, showed the defendant taking part in political activities, public gatherings, campaigns, and protests during the period she said she was ill.
The prosecution further contended that the allegations against her involved using social media to publish and circulate electronic materials that form part of its evidence, which raised concerns about possible interference with witnesses.
The defense insisted that the offenses were bailable and that, if granted bail, Ogala would not commit another offense, interfere with witnesses, or evade trial.
The defense blamed her earlier absence from court on ill health and asked the judge to grant her bail so that she could prepare for trial and pursue her governorship ambition.
In deciding the application, Justice Aluko cited Section 162 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, which allows bail unless circumstances justifying refusal exist, such as the likelihood of committing another offense, evading trial, or interfering with investigations.
The judge further referenced the Supreme Court’s ruling in Suleiman’s case, which set out the principles that guide the exercise of judicial discretion in bail applications.
He said, “The main function of bail is to ensure the presence of the accused at trial. That is the touchstone of all the criteria.”
Earlier, when the case was called, Doris Ogala was absent, but her lawyer informed the court that she was currently receiving treatment at a hospital.
Ogala’s counsel, Marshal Abubakar, told the court, “The defendant is currently receiving treatment at General Hospital in Ajegunle following a gynaecological surgery, which has resulted in bleeding.”
