The Federal High Court in Lagos has granted Doris Ogala, the African Action Congress (AAC) governorship candidate for the 2027 election in Abia State, bail in the sum of N30 million over allegations of cyberstalking and other offences involving Pastor Chris Okafor.
Justice Akintayo Aluko granted the bail on Friday, November 6, 2026, subject to two sureties in like sum and other conditions, including the surrender of Ogala’s international passport to the court registrar.
The judge also barred the Nollywood actress from making electronic publications capable of exposing prosecution witnesses to harassment, threats or intimidation throughout the trial.
In his ruling, Aluko said the bail conditions were designed to balance Ogala’s constitutional right to liberty with the need to protect prosecution witnesses and ensure her attendance in court.
He said the court was particularly concerned about her conduct during proceedings on October 28, 2026, when she allegedly disrupted the sitting and caused the adjournment of 10 cases.
“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 to the court over the incident, stressing that she remained presumed innocent under the Constitution.
“That notwithstanding, the defendant is still presumed innocent by the provision of the Constitution,” he added.
The judge also considered the prosecution’s concerns that Ogala could deploy her social media accounts and other online platforms to intimidate or harass witnesses.
He consequently restrained her from making electronic publications capable of exposing prosecution witnesses to public harassment, ridicule, threats or intimidation, or distorting the court proceedings.
Justice Aluko further directed Ogala to undertake, on oath, to maintain good behaviour and refrain from misconduct within the courtroom and its premises throughout the trial.
The defendant had filed her bail application on October 27, 2026, seeking her release 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 deliberately failed to attend previous court proceedings on April 23 and June 9, 2026, citing ill health.
To support its argument, the prosecution presented photographs which it claimed showed Ogala participating in political activities, public gatherings, campaigns and protests during the period she reportedly suffered ill health.
It also argued that the charges involved the use of social media to publish and circulate electronic materials, raising concerns about possible interference with witnesses.
However, the defence maintained that the offences were bailable and argued that Ogala would neither commit another offence nor interfere with witnesses or evade trial if released.
Her lawyers attributed her previous absence from court to ill health and urged the judge to grant bail to enable her to prepare adequately for trial and pursue her governorship ambition.
In determining the application, Justice Aluko relied on Section 162 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, which provides for bail except where circumstances justify its refusal, including the likelihood of the defendant committing another offence, escaping trial or interfering with investigations.
He also cited the Supreme Court’s decision in Suleiman’s case, which established 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,” the judge said.
Aluko held that judicial discretion must be exercised judiciously and based on the facts and circumstances of each case before granting the application in the interest of justice.
Under the bail conditions, Ogala must produce two sureties who will each enter into a recognisance of N30 million.
One of the sureties must either own a property in Lagos State and provide verifiable evidence of registration at the Land Registry, certified by the Registrar of Deeds, or be a prominent national officer of her political party or a person of repute.
The sureties must also demonstrate reliable financial means, reside within the court’s jurisdiction and undergo verification by the court registrar.
They are further required to submit tax clearance certificates covering the last three years and provide two recent passport photographs each.
The court ordered that Ogala be released from custody immediately after fulfilling all the bail conditions.
