Abia AAC Guber Candidate, Doris Ogala Gets ₦30m Bail as Court Places Restrictions on Her Social Media Activities

Abia AAC Guber Candidate, Doris Ogala Gets ₦30m Bail as Court Places Restrictions on Her Social Media Activities.

The Federal High Court in Lagos has granted Nollywood actress Doris Ogala bail in the sum of ₦30 million over alleged cyberstalking and other offences arising from her dispute with Pastor Chris Okafor.

Justice Akintayo Aluko, who delivered the ruling on Friday, November 6, 2026, ordered Ogala to provide two sureties in like sum, while directing her to surrender her international passport to the court registrar.

The judge also restrained the actress from making electronic publications capable of exposing prosecution witnesses to harassment, threats or intimidation while the trial is ongoing.

In his ruling, Justice Aluko said the court had considered Ogala’s constitutional right to personal liberty alongside the need to protect witnesses and preserve the integrity of the proceedings.

“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,” the judge said.

The court expressed concern over Ogala’s conduct during proceedings on October 28, 2026, when, according to the judge, her actions disrupted the sitting and resulted in the emergency adjournment of 10 cases.

Justice Aluko described the incident as troubling but acknowledged that the actress had apologised to the court.

“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,” he said.

He, however, emphasised that the court was still bound by the constitutional presumption of innocence.

“That notwithstanding, the defendant is still presumed innocent by the provision of the Constitution,” he added.

The judge also addressed the prosecution’s concerns that Ogala could use her social media accounts and other online platforms to intimidate or harass witnesses.

“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,” he ruled.

As part of the bail conditions, Ogala is required to enter into a recognisance on oath to maintain good behaviour and refrain from misconduct within the courtroom and its premises throughout the trial.

Prosecution Raises Concerns Over Previous Court Absences

The prosecution had opposed the bail application, alleging that Ogala deliberately failed to attend earlier proceedings on April 23 and June 9, 2026, on the grounds of ill health.

It presented photographs which it claimed showed the actress participating in political activities, public gatherings, campaigns and protests during the period she reportedly said she was unwell.

The prosecution further argued that the charges involved the use of social media to publish and circulate electronic materials forming part of its evidence, raising concerns about possible interference with witnesses.

Ogala’s defence team rejected the concerns, maintaining that the alleged offences were bailable and that she would neither evade trial nor interfere with witnesses if released.

Her lawyer, Marshal Abubakar, attributed her previous absence to health challenges and urged the court to grant bail to enable her to prepare adequately for trial and pursue her governorship ambition.

When the case was called earlier on Friday, Ogala was absent from court. Abubakar informed the judge that she was receiving treatment at the General Hospital in Ajegunle following gynaecological surgery that had reportedly resulted in bleeding.

Details of Bail Conditions

In addition to the ₦30 million bail sum, the court directed that one of the two sureties must either own property in Lagos State, supported by verifiable and certified registration documents from the Land Registry, or be a prominent national officer of Ogala’s political party or a person of recognised standing.

Both sureties must be persons of reliable means, reside within the court’s jurisdiction and undergo verification by the court registrar.

They are also required to submit tax clearance certificates covering the preceding three years and provide two recent passport photographs each.

The court directed that Ogala be released from custody immediately after fulfilling the bail conditions.

In considering the application, Justice Aluko referred to Section 162 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, which provides the framework for granting bail and identifies circumstances that may justify its refusal, including the possibility of further offences, evasion of trial or interference with investigations.

He also cited the Supreme Court’s decision in Suleiman’s case, emphasising that the primary purpose of bail is to secure the defendant’s attendance at trial.

“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.

The court ultimately held that granting the application, subject to strict conditions, was in the interest of justice.

Ogala will now face the allegations while enjoying the conditional liberty granted by the court. The case is expected to continue as the prosecution and defence prepare for trial.