On Friday, Doris Ogala appeared before Justice Akintayo Aluko of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, and tendered an unreserved apology for her conduct during her arraignment on Wednesday. Ogala had been remanded at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre after her arraignment on charges bordering on alleged cyberstalking, cyberbullying, and attempted extortion involving popular Pentecostal cleric Chris Okafor.
During the resumed proceedings, Ogala expressed deep remorse for disrupting court proceedings, stating that she was very sorry and apologized for her bad behavior. She claimed that she had never been to prison before and wasn't expecting to be remanded. Ogala's outburst on Wednesday had reportedly forced the court to rise, disrupting the hearing of over seven other cases listed for the day.
Justice Aluko had frowned at Ogala's conduct, noting that her actions could have attracted at least two months' imprisonment for contempt. The judge stated that he refrained from committing her for contempt despite the provocation. Ogala's lawyer, Marshal Abubakar, also apologized for his client's behavior, describing the incident as regrettable and inconsistent with her character.
The prosecution counsel, Tolulope Mokolu, opposed Ogala's bail application, citing concerns that her activities on social media could interfere with witnesses and the administration of justice. Mokolu asked the court to restrain Ogala from contacting witnesses and publishing materials capable of prejudicing the trial. He acknowledged her constitutional right to freedom of speech but argued that such rights were not absolute.
In his bail application, Abubakar urged the court to grant Ogala bail on liberal terms, arguing that the prosecution had conceded that she was entitled to bail by proposing conditions in its counter-affidavit. Abubakar argued that bail conditions should be reasonable and not punitive. Justice Aluko reserved his ruling on the bail application until November 6, 2026.
Ogala was arraigned on a three-count charge bordering on alleged cyberbullying, cyberstalking, and attempted extortion. She pleaded not guilty to the charges. The prosecution alleged that between September 2024 and March 2026, she published nude and intimate photographs of Pastor Okafor on her social media accounts without his consent, causing embarrassment, emotional distress, and reputational damage.
After the apologies were tendered, Justice Aluko proceeded to hear the bail application. Ogala was returned to the Kirikiri Correctional Centre pending the ruling on her bail application. The court adjourned its ruling on her bail application to November 6, 2026.
Key points
- - The incident occurred on October 30, 2026, at the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos. - Ogala is facing charges of cyberstalking, cyberbullying, and attempted extortion involving Pastor Chris Okafor. - The judge reserved his ruling on Ogala's bail application until November 6, 2026.
