The planned arraignment of Nollywood actress Doris Ogala before the Federal High Court in Lagos, Southwest Nigeria, over allegations of cyberstalking, cyberbullying, and attempted extortion against Pastor Chris Okafor was again stalled on Tuesday due to her absence from court on health grounds.
The founder of Grace Nation International, Chris Okafor
File photo: The founder of Grace Nation International, Chris Okafor.
This is the second time the actress has failed to appear for arraignment on charges filed against her by the Directorate of Public Prosecutions of the Federation.
The matter first came up on April 24, 2026, before Justice Akintayo Aluko, when Ogala’s former counsel, Temiloluwa Akindayini, informed the court that she had undergone surgery and was unable to attend proceedings. Counsel had assured the court that she would be present on the next adjourned date.
However, when the case was called on Tuesday, Ogala was again absent. While the prosecution was represented by Tolulope Mokolu, counsel for the defendant, N.C. Atulomah, informed the court that his client was receiving treatment at a Federal Medical Centre.
Atulomah told the court that he had filed two affidavits in support of the application for adjournment and argued that the prosecution would suffer no prejudice if the matter was postponed.
He further assured the court that Ogala would be present on the next adjourned date and urged the court to grant the application.
Responding, prosecution counsel Mokolu said he would reluctantly consent to the request for adjournment.
However, he drew the court’s attention to the medical report submitted by the defence, noting that the document indicated that Ogala had already been discharged from the hospital and was being managed as an outpatient.
The prosecutor also questioned the defendant’s claim of ill health, stating that she had recently participated in her state’s party primary election, campaigned actively, emerged victorious, and celebrated the outcome.
“I am reluctantly acceding to the counsel’s plea for adjournment in view of what I am seeing for the first time. However, if by the next adjourned date she is not in court, I will be asking for a bench warrant,” Mokolu said.
After considering the submissions of both parties, Justice Aluko adjourned the matter until October 28, 2026, for Ogala’s arraignment.
The 34-year-old actress is facing charges under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Amendment Act, 2024, over allegations that she published personal and intimate materials relating to Pastor Chris Okafor without his consent.
The prosecution also alleged that she disseminated false and inflammatory information aimed at damaging the clergyman’s reputation, engaged in cyberbullying and harassment, and attempted to extort him.
According to the charges, Ogala allegedly published nude and intimate photographs of Pastor Okafor on her social media platforms between September 2024 and March 2026, knowing that such publication would cause embarrassment, emotional distress, and reputational damage.
She was further accused of publishing messages, photographs, and video recordings containing allegations that Pastor Okafor raped his wife, engaged in ritual practices within his church, and was responsible for another person’s death.
The prosecution said the allegations were false and were intended to cause annoyance, intimidation, and reputational harm.
The charge also alleged that Ogala intentionally disseminated false information through computer networks and social media platforms with the aim of bullying, threatening, intimidating, and harassing the cleric.
In addition, the prosecution alleged that she transmitted electronic communications threatening to continue publishing menacing and intimate materials about Pastor Okafor unless he compensated her or purchased a house for her, actions said to constitute attempted extortion under the Cybercrimes Act.
Source: Punch
