The Federal High Court in Lagos has granted 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, who granted the bail on Friday, 2026, however, ordered Ogala to surrender her international passport to the court registrar and restrained her from making electronic publications capable of intimidating or harassing prosecution witnesses.
In his ruling, the judge said he was mindful of the need to balance the defendant’s constitutional right to liberty with the responsibility of protecting witnesses and preserving 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, threat or intimidation.”
Justice Aluko expressed concern over the defendant’s alleged conduct during proceedings on October 28, 2026, which he said disrupted the court’s sitting and forced 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, however, acknowledged that the defendant had apologised to the court for her conduct.
He said, “That notwithstanding, the defendant is still presumed innocent by the provision of the Constitution.”
The judge 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 further ordered Ogala to enter into a recognisance on oath to be of good behaviour and refrain from misconduct in the courtroom or its premises throughout the trial.
The defendant had sought bail in an application dated October 26 and filed on October 27, 2026, pursuant to Section 35(5) of the Constitution and Sections 158 and 162 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.
In opposing the application, the prosecution alleged that Ogala deliberately failed to attend previous proceedings on April 23 and June 9, 2026, claiming ill health.
It presented pictorial evidence which it said showed the defendant participating in political activities, public gatherings, campaigns and protests during the period she claimed to be ill.
The prosecution also argued that the allegations against her involved the use of social media to publish and disseminate electronic materials forming part of its evidence, raising concerns about possible interference with witnesses.
The defence maintained that the offences were bailable and that Ogala would not commit another offence, interfere with witnesses or evade trial if granted bail.
The defence attributed her previous absence from court to ill health and urged the judge to grant her bail to enable her to prepare for trial and pursue her governorship ambition.
In resolving the application, Justice Aluko referred to Section 162 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, which provides for bail except where circumstances exist to 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 outlined the principles guiding 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.”
Justice Aluko added that the court must exercise its discretion judicially and judiciously, based on the facts and circumstances before it.
He eventually held that the application should be granted in the interest of justice.
Under the conditions, Ogala is to provide two sureties in like sum.
One of them must either own a property in Lagos State, with 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 repute.
The sureties must be persons of reliable means, reside within the court’s jurisdiction and be verified by the court registrar.
They are also required to submit tax clearance certificates covering the last three years and attach two recent passport photographs each.
The judge further ordered Ogala to surrender her international passport to the court registrar.
He directed that upon fulfilment of the bail conditions, the defendant should be released from custody forthwith.
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.”
