The Federal High Court in Lagos has granted Nollywood actress Doris Ogala bail in the sum of N30m with two sureties in like sum over alleged cyberstalking and other offences involving Pastor Chris Okafor.
Justice Akintayo Aluko granted the bail on Friday, November 6, 2026, but directed the actress to deposit her international passport with the court registrar.
He also barred her from making electronic publications capable of harassing, intimidating or threatening prosecution witnesses.
In his ruling, the judge said the bail conditions were designed to protect the defendant’s constitutional right to liberty while ensuring the safety of witnesses and the integrity of the judicial process.
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, threat or intimidation.”
Justice Aluko also raised concerns about Ogala’s alleged behaviour during proceedings on October 28, 2026, when her conduct reportedly 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.”
Despite the concerns, the judge noted that Ogala had apologised to the court over her conduct, stressing that she remained presumed innocent under the law.
He said, “That notwithstanding, the defendant is still presumed innocent by the provision of the Constitution.”
The court also considered the prosecution’s argument that the actress could exploit her social media accounts and other online platforms to harass or intimidate witnesses in the case.
Justice Aluko consequently prohibited publications that could expose prosecution witnesses to public ridicule, threats or harassment, or undermine the court proceedings.
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.”
The judge further directed Ogala to swear to an undertaking to maintain good behaviour and avoid any form of misconduct within the courtroom and its premises throughout the trial.
The actress had filed her bail application on October 27, 2026, following its date of October 26.
The application was brought pursuant to Section 35(5) of the Constitution and Sections 158 and 162 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.
The prosecution opposed the request, alleging that Ogala had deliberately stayed away from previous court proceedings on April 23 and June 9, 2026, on the grounds of ill health.
It tendered photographs which it claimed showed the defendant attending political activities, public gatherings, campaigns and protests during the period she allegedly claimed to be sick.
The prosecution further maintained that the charges involved the use of social media to disseminate electronic materials that formed part of its evidence, raising fears that she could interfere with witnesses.
However, the defence argued that the alleged offences were bailable and insisted that Ogala would not commit further offences, interfere with witnesses or evade trial if released.
Her counsel attributed her previous absence from court to ill health and urged the judge to grant the application to allow her prepare for trial and pursue her governorship ambition.
While considering the application, Justice Aluko relied on Section 162 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, which allows bail except where circumstances such as the possibility of committing another offence, fleeing trial or interfering with investigations warrant its denial.
The judge also referred to the Supreme Court’s decision in Suleiman’s case, which established principles for determining 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.”
Justice Aluko emphasised that judicial discretion must be exercised fairly and in accordance with the circumstances of each case before concluding that Ogala’s application should be granted in the interest of justice.
As part of the bail conditions, the actress is required to produce two sureties in the sum of N30m each.
One of the sureties must either own a 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 reputable standing.
The court also stipulated that the sureties must be financially reliable, reside within its jurisdiction and undergo verification by the registrar.
They are to submit tax clearance certificates for the preceding three years and provide two recent passport photographs each.
Ogala was additionally ordered to surrender her international passport to the court registrar.
Justice Aluko directed that she be released from custody immediately upon satisfying all the bail conditions.
Earlier in the proceedings, the actress was absent when the case was called, with her lawyer informing the court that she was undergoing medical treatment.
Her 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.”
