A Federal High Court in Lagos has remanded Nollywood actress Doris Ogala at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre over alleged cyberstalking, cyberbullying and attempted extortion of Pastor Chris Okafor.
Justice Akintayo Aluko ordered her remand on Wednesday after she pleaded not guilty to three counts filed against her by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation.
The court adjourned the case until 30 October 2026, for the hearing of her bail application.
Prosecution counsel, Tolulope Mokolu, told the court that the alleged offences were committed between September 2024 and March 2026.
He alleged that Ms Ogala knowingly published nude and intimate photographs of Pastor Okafor on her social media accounts without his consent.
According to the prosecution, the publications were capable of causing embarrassment, emotional distress and damage to the cleric’s reputation, with the materials later circulated across social media platforms and blogs.
The prosecution also accused the actress of publishing videos, recordings and electronic messages containing information she allegedly knew to be false, with the intention of bullying, threatening, intimidating and harassing the pastor.
Actress accused of threatening further publications
Mr Mokolu further alleged that Ms Ogala threatened to continue publishing menacing and intimate material about the cleric unless he compensated her or bought her a house.
He said the alleged threats were intended to damage Pastor Okafor’s reputation and expose him to public ridicule.
The prosecution said the charges contravened Sections 24(1)(a), 24(2)(a) and 24(2)(c) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.
Defence seeks bail
After the charges were read to her, Ms Ogala pleaded not guilty.
Her lawyer, N. C. Atulomah, opposed the prosecution’s request for remand and urged the court to release the actress on bail.
The defence counsel told the court that Ms Ogala was a governorship candidate of a political party in Abia State and assured the court that she would be available for subsequent proceedings.
The prosecution opposed the request, saying he had only been served with the bail application on Wednesday and needed time to study it and file a response.
Court orders accelerated bail hearing
In his ruling, Justice Aluko held that the defence had not placed sufficient material before the court to justify the actress’s immediate release.
The judge, however, ordered an accelerated hearing of the bail application and directed that Ms Ogala remain at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre pending the determination of the application.
The case was subsequently adjourned to 30 October for the hearing of the bail application.
Discover more from VOICE OF THE PEOPLE
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
