The Federal High Court in Lagos has granted a N30 million bail to the African Action Congress, AAC, gubernatorial candidate in Abia State, Doris Ogala, over a case of cyberstalking.
Justice Akintayo Aluko delivered the court ruling on noting that the conditions were to ensure the defendant’s attendance in court for her trial, and ordered Ogala to provide two sureties in like sum with the need to protect witnesses of the prosecution from threat.
Judge Aluko, at the court on Friday, also directed the Nollywood actress to hand over her international passport to the court registrar and also barred her from creating electronic publications that can intimidate or harass the prosecution witness.
The court also ruled that one of the sureties, who must also submit tax clearance certificates which covers the last three years and attach two recent passport photographs each, must either own a property in Lagos State, with verifiable proof of registration at the Land Registry duly certified by the Registrar of Deeds, or be a prominent national officer of her political party or a prominent person of repute.
The defendant had applied for bail in an application dated October 26 and filed on October 27, 2026, under Section 35(5) of the Constitution and Sections 158 and 162 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.
The aspirant is on facing prosecution over an alleged cyberstalking and other offensive linked to a clergyman, Chris Okafor, the prosecution arguing that the case involved the use of social media to publish and circulate electronic materials forming part of its evidence, raising fear of possible witnesses interference.
Pictorial evidence were tender which showed the defendant taking part in political activities, public gatherings, campaigns and protests during the period she claimed to be unwell.
The defence, however, insisted that the offences were bailable, assuring that Ogala would not commit another offence, interfere with witnesses or jump bail if released.
The defence blamed her earlier absence from court to ill health and plead with the judge to grant her bail so that she can prepare for trial and pursue her governorship quest.
In response to the application, Aluko cited Section 162 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, which allows bail except where circumstances justify refusal, such as the likelihood of committing another offence, evading trial or interfering with investigations.
He also referred to the Supreme Court’s decision in Suleiman’s case, which set out the principles guiding the judicial discretion in bail applications, based on the facts and circumstances before it.
The judge further cited the defendant’s alleged behavior on October 28, 2026 during proceedings, saying it disrupted the court’s sitting and led to the emergency adjournment of 10 cases.
“By her misconduct and conduct in the open court, when she disrupted proceedings and caused a series of adjournments without any justification on the 28th of October, 2026, the defendant has exposed herself as a person capable of fomenting trouble when she is outside the courtroom,” he said.
Aluko further instructed Ogala to sign sworn recognizance to be of good behaviour and to avoid any misconduct in the courtroom or its premises for the duration the trial.