The planned arraignment of Nollywood actress Doris Ogala before a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos was stalled on Thursday due to her absence in court.
Ogala was to be arraigned on a four-count charge filed by the Federal Government bordering on alleged cyberstalking of Pastor Chris Okafor, including claims of publishing personal materials without consent, dissemination of false information, cyberbullying, and attempted extortion.
At the proceedings before Justice Akintayo Aluko, prosecuting counsel Tolulope Mokuola drew the court’s attention to the defendant’s absence and applied for a bench warrant, stating that she had been duly served with a hearing notice.
In opposition, defence counsel Temiloluwa Akindayini informed the court that his client was unable to attend due to health reasons, stating that she had undergone surgery two days earlier and was currently in Abia State recuperating. He said an affidavit to that effect had been filed.
The prosecutor faulted the defence for failing to serve the affidavit and for not notifying the prosecution ahead of the hearing, and questioned the authenticity of the medical report, noting it was not from a government hospital.
Justice Aluko noted the procedural lapse on the part of the defence but declined to grant the bench warrant, holding that the interest of justice required that the defendant be given the benefit of doubt.
The court directed the defendant to produce a comprehensive and verifiable medical report from a government hospital and serve same on the prosecution before the next date, and ordered that she be present in court at the next adjourned date for her arraignment.
The matter was adjourned to June 9, 2026.
According to the charge, the Federal Government alleged that between September 2024 and March 2026, Ogala published indecent images and materials of the complainant on social media without consent, circulated false messages alleging rape, ritual practices, and death, and attempted to extort money from the cleric. The alleged offences contravene sections of the Cybercrimes Amendment Act, 2024.
