Chris Okafor: Doris Ogala remains in custody as court postpones bail ruling

The Federal High Court in Lagos on Friday adjourned the bail hearing of actress Doris Ogala until 6 November in the case involving her and Chris Okafor, founder of the Mountain of Liberation and Miracle Ministry.

PREMIUM TIMES had earlier reported that Justice Akintayo Aluko ordered the remand of Ms Ogala, the African Action Congress (AAC) governorship candidate in the forthcoming Abia State election, at Ikoyi Correctional Centre.

The actress appeared before the court over allegations bordering on cyberstalking, cyberbullying and attempted extortion, lawyers representing both parties told this newspaper.

Ife Ajayi, who represents Mr Okafor, and Nzeakor Atulomah confirmed that the judge adjourned the bail hearing to 6 November, leaving Ms Ogala in custody pending the court’s decision.

“The case was adjourned till 6th Nov 2026 for ruling on her bail application. She continues to remain in the correctional facility, Ikoyi Prison”, Mr Ajayi said.

Mr Atulomah expressed confidence that his client would secure bail when the court resumed proceedings.

“My juniors were in court. The bail application was taken today and adjourned to 6 Nov for ruling. We’re hopeful the court would admit the defendant to bail. As we argued before the court, the charges are ‘bailable,” he said.

Ruling

Meanwhile, Justice Aluko said the actress’s actions disrupted the court’s schedule, leaving more than seven other cases listed for that day unheard.

He revealed that he initially considered committing her for contempt following the incident but eventually spared her, despite believing that her behaviour justified such a punishment.

According to the judge, Ms Ogala could have faced at least two months in prison for obstructing the court’s proceedings.

Justice Aluko said, “She should have been given some form of imprisonment, right, on that day, but I kept my cool, and I rose. Why do you have to start shouting and start singing in the open court? You conducted yourself in a manner that forced the court to rise. That’s what you did, and it’s already recorded.”

The judge also criticised the defence counsel for failing to acknowledge the incident and explain the defendant’s conduct before presenting arguments in support of the bail application.

He recalled that he had personally ordered an expedited hearing of the application and taken steps to ensure that the court heard it within 48 hours.

He said he was disappointed that Wednesday’s disruption occurred despite his efforts to fast-track the proceedings.

Ogala speaks

Speaking after the court ordered her return to prison, Ms Ogala alleged that Mr Okafor and others had deliberately frustrated her bail hearing.

She maintained that she neither feared nor felt intimidated by anyone involved in the case.

She further alleged that some individuals had politically motivated her continued detention to distract her from her campaign to become Abia State governor.

“This thing here is already prepared, but one thing you must know about Doris Ogala is that I am not perturbed. They said the bail ruling is on Friday, but that Friday, they will still send me back. You know why? Because they don’t want me to come out. First, they don’t want me to campaign. This is politically motivated. More than four pastors and the government come together to keep me down here.

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“But whether they like it or not, bail is my right. They will leave me. If they like, let them keep me here for 10 years; I am not afraid of them. You see this court? I’m disappointed that our judicial system has reduced itself to this level. Imagine a judge doing the bidding of a pastor who did not even attend school. I am ashamed of the judicial system of this country”, said the actress.

Disappointment

The actress further expressed displeasure with the Ministry of Justice over its involvement in what she called a “boyfriend and girlfriend” affair.

She maintained that prison differed from what people generally imagined and stressed that she remained unconvicted. She accused influential figures in the case of using the law as a weapon against her.

“I’m ashamed of the Ministry of Justice to reduce themselves to this level of now fighting boyfriend and girlfriend matters in the name of the federal government. This case is between the federal government and Doris Ogalla. I am not afraid of them. Every powerful man you see in this life has gone into prison, and they came out strong. Doris is not afraid. I am going back to prison.

“I’m not afraid of Chris Okafor. And you will not bend me. I want you guys to know that it is Doris today. It will be you tomorrow. You are sitting down there saying that Doris is guilty. I am not guilty. If Chris Okafor is not afraid, why don’t he stop putting me in prison with his resources and come let us face the court. Let’s go to the trial and see who is guilty. But you see this matter? I will not stop it. I will get to the end of it. You know me now.”

Ms Ogala vowed to get to the root of the matter and urged her fans and supporters not to listen to the negative things people are saying.

“They cannot intimidate me. Alex Otti, I am not afraid of you.”