Justice Akintayo Aluko of a Federal High Court Lagos, has fixed June 9, 2026, for the arraignment of actress Doris Ogala, on allegations of cyberstalking and bullying of Pastor Chris Okafor.
Justice Aluko fixed the arrraignment date following Doris’s failure to appear before the court on Thursday, to take her plea of a four count-charge slammed on her by the office of Directorate of Public Prosecutions of the Federation (DPPF), in the charge marked FHC/L/220c/2026.
The 34 years old Ogala is facing charges of Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024, bordering on alleged publication of personal materials of Pastor Chris Okafor without his consent.
She was also alleged to have disseminate false and inciteful information for the sole purpose of incriminating the clergy, cyber bullying and harassment, and attempted extortion.
At the hearing of the matter on Thursday, the prosecution applied for a bench warrant to compel the defendant’s appearance, citing her failure to attend court despite being served with hearing notice.
“My Lord, the defendant is absent in court despite being duly served. We therefore apply for a bench warrant for her arrest to ensure her presence,” he said.
But Doris’ lawyer, Temiloluwa Akindayini, opposed the application, informing the court that his client had undergone surgery on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, and was currently recuperating in Abia State.
He added that an affidavit deposing her medical condition had been filed on April 22 and was before the court.
“My Lord, the defendant is indisposed, having undergone a medical procedure. She is presently in Abia State recovering and cannot attend court today. We urge the court to refuse the application,” he submitted.
The prosecutor Mokuola in response, faulted the defence for failing to serve the affidavit and for not notifying the prosecution in advance of the alleged surgery.
“My Lord, we were not served with the said affidavit, and no notice was given of any medical condition or scheduled surgery. The hearing notice had eight clear days, which was sufficient to inform both the court and the prosecution,” he submitted.
The prosecutor further challenged the validity of the medical report relied upon by the defence, noting that it was not issued by a government hospital.
“The medical report being relied upon is not from a government hospital, which is the standard requirement. There is no way to verify its authenticity on its face,” he added.
Ruling on Counsel submissions, Justice Aluko held that the defence ought to have properly notified the prosecution and served the relevant processes.
“The defence should have informed the prosecution ahead of time and ensured that the affidavit was duly served,” the judge said.
The court declined the prosecution’s application for a bench warrant, holding that in the interest of justice, and given that the affidavit was already before it, the defendant should be given the benefit of doubt.
Following the ruling, the prosecution urged the court to direct that any further medical report must be obtained from a government hospital and that the defence should bear responsibility if the defendant fails to appear at the next adjourned date.
“My Lord, we urge the court to mandate a verifiable medical report from a government hospital and hold the defence accountable if the defendant is not present at the next sitting,” the prosecution submitted.
Ruling, Justice Aluko directed the defendant to present a comprehensive and verifiable medical report from a government hospital and ensure that same is served on the prosecution before the next adjourned date.
“The defendant must present a verifiable report from a government hospital and serve same on the prosecution before the next date. She must also be present in court for her arraignment,” the court held.
The matter was adjourned to June 9, 2026, for arraignment.
Charges against the actress read: “That you, DORIS OGALA, (F)(34 Years), sometimes between September 2024 to March 2026 within the jurisdiction of this honourable Court, did knowingly and intentionally publish on your social media account nude and intimate photographs of one Pastor Chris Okafor without his consent, which you knew would cause annoyance, embarrassment, emotional distress and injury to his reputation, and which said images were subsequently disseminated across various social media blogs and platforms thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 24(1)(a) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Ete.) Amendment Act, 2024.
“That you, DORIS OGALA (F)(34 Years), sometime between September 2024 to March 2026 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did knowingly and intentionally send messages and publish pictures and video recordings through your Instagram Account and other social media platforms containing imprecatory remarks against one Pastor Chris Okafor’s life and marriage including allegations that said Pastor Chris Okafor committed acts of rape against his wife; engaged in ritual practices within his church and was responsible for the death of another person, which allegations you knew to be false and which were published for the purpose of causing annoyance, insult, injury, criminal intimidation and reputational damage to the said Pastor Chris Okafor thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Amendment Act, 2024,
“That you, DORIS OGALA, (F)(34 Years), sometime between September 2024 to March 2026 within the jurisdiction of this honourable Court, did intentionally publish and cause to be disseminated through computer systems and networks several video recordings and electronic messages containing information you knew to be false and which were calculated to bully, threaten, intimidate and harass one Pastor Chris Okafor, and which said electronic publications were subsequently circulated across various online blogs and social media platforms thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 24(2)(A) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.
“That you, DORIS OGALA, (F)(34 Years), sometime between September 2024 to March 2026 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, transmitted electronic communications and information through your social media accounts against one Pastor Chris Okafor with intent to extort property, knowingly threatening to continue publishing menacing and intimate materials against the said Pastor Chris Okafor unless he either compensates you or buys you a house and with the intent to harm his reputation, cause public hatred, ridicule and opprobrium thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 24(2)(c) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.”
