The planned arraignment of Nollywood actress Doris Ogala before a Federal High Court in Lagos was on Thursday postponed after she failed to appear in court.
Ogala is facing a four-count charge filed by the Federal Government over alleged cyberstalking of Pastor Chris Okafor.
The charges include claims of publishing private materials without consent, spreading false information, cyberbullying, and attempted extortion.
During proceedings before Justice Akintayo Aluko, prosecuting counsel Tolulope Mokuola informed the court that the defendant was absent despite being served with a hearing notice and urged the court to issue a bench warrant.
“My Lord, the defendant is absent despite being duly served. We respectfully request a bench warrant to compel her attendance,” Mokuola said.
However, defence counsel Temiloluwa Akindayini opposed the application, explaining that his client could not attend due to health challenges. He told the court that Ogala underwent surgery two days earlier and is currently recovering in Abia State.
“My Lord, the defendant is indisposed, having undergone a surgical procedure on April 21. She is presently recuperating, and an affidavit to that effect has been filed before this Honourable Court,” Akindayini stated.
The prosecution, however, challenged the defence’s position, noting that the affidavit was not served on them and that no prior notice of the medical condition was given.
“We were not served with the affidavit, and there was no communication regarding any health issue before today,” Mokuola argued.
“The medical report presented is also not from a government hospital, making verification difficult.”
In his ruling, Justice Aluko acknowledged the procedural shortcomings on the part of the defence but declined to issue a bench warrant, stating that the court would give the defendant the benefit of doubt.
“The defence ought to have properly notified the prosecution and ensured all processes were duly served,” the judge said. “However, in the interest of justice, the court will allow the defendant the benefit of doubt.”
The court directed that any medical report submitted must come from a government hospital and be served on the prosecution before the next hearing.
“The defendant shall provide a comprehensive and verifiable medical report from a government hospital and ensure it is served on the prosecution,” Justice Aluko ruled. “She must also be present in court on the next adjourned date.”
The case was subsequently adjourned to June 9, 2026, for arraignment.
According to the charge, the government alleges that between September 2024 and March 2026, Ogala shared indecent images and materials relating to the complainant on social media without consent, with the intent to cause reputational harm.
She is also accused of circulating messages and videos alleging that the cleric committed rape against his wife, engaged in ritual practices, and was linked to another person’s death, claims prosecutors described as false and intended to intimidate and extort.
Prosecutors further alleged that the actress transmitted electronic messages aimed at harassing and bullying the complainant, with the content widely circulated across social media platforms.
The fourth count accuses her of attempting to extort the cleric by allegedly threatening to continue publishing damaging content unless she received financial compensation or a house.
The offences are said to contravene provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.
