Nollywood actress Doris Ogala has been remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre in Lagos following her arraignment on a four-count charge bordering on alleged cyberbullying and other offences involving cleric Chris Okafor.
The actress was arraigned on Wednesday before the Federal High Court in Lagos, where she pleaded not guilty to all four counts. The charges include the alleged publication of personal materials without consent, dissemination of false information, cyberbullying and attempted extortion.
The case was instituted by Chris Okafor, founder of Mountain of Liberty and Miracle Ministry.
Presiding judge Akintayo Aluko ordered Ogala’s remand pending the hearing of her bail application, which was adjourned until October 30.
At the proceedings, prosecuting counsel Tolulope Mokolu urged the court to remand the actress, explaining that he needed time to examine and respond to the bail application, which he had only recently received.
However, defence counsel N. C. Atulomah opposed the request, asking the court to grant his client bail.
Atulomah told the court that Ogala was a governorship candidate of a political party in Abia State and assured the judge that she would attend subsequent proceedings if released.
In his ruling, Justice Aluko held that the defence had not provided sufficient grounds to justify the actress’s immediate release. He, however, directed that the bail application be heard on an accelerated basis.
The judge subsequently ordered that Ogala be remanded at the correctional facility and fixed October 30 for the hearing of her bail application.
Court Session Ends in Commotion
The proceedings later took a dramatic turn when Ogala insisted on addressing the court despite efforts by her lawyer and others to calm her down.
The actress reportedly raised her voice, alleging that political influence and government power were being deployed against her.
“I must talk, this is Nigeria, they are using government power to oppress me. My boyfriend is using government power to oppress me,” she shouted.
The situation became increasingly disorderly, prompting the judge to rise for the day.
In a subsequent Instagram post, the actress alleged that clerics Jerry Eze, Suleman Johnson and Chris Okafor, as well as Abia State Governor Alex Otti, were responsible for her remand.
She claimed that the individuals were acting against her because of information she allegedly possessed about them. The allegations have not been independently established.
“Jerry Eze, Suleman Johnson and Chris okafor are responsible for my remand. Alex Oti is fully behind my remand as well. They are afraid of their secret I know. All of them are responsible, believe me,” she wrote.
The case had previously stalled for two consecutive sittings because of Ogala’s absence before Wednesday’s arraignment.
The court is expected to consider her bail application on October 30, while the substantive charges remain pending.
