Cyberstalking: AAC Governorship Candidate Gets N30m Bail

Justice Akintayo Aluko of the Federal High Court in Lagos on Friday granted the African Action Congress (AAC) governorship candidate for Abia State, Doris Ogala, bail in the sum of N30 million over the alleged cyberstalking, cyberbullying and attempted extortion of Pastor Chris Okafor.

Justice Aluko also barred her from harassing or intimidating prosecution witnesses and from making electronic publications that could compromise her trial.

Other conditions imposed on the Nollywood actress-turned-politician included surrendering her international passport, an undertaking to maintain good behaviour, and restrictions on publications that could expose prosecution witnesses to harassment, threats or intimidation.

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The court also directed Ogala to enter into a recognisance on oath to be of good behaviour and refrain from any form of misconduct within the courtroom and court premises throughout the proceedings.

Under the bail terms, she is to provide two sureties in like sum, one of whom must either own property in Lagos State, supported by verifiable evidence of registration at the Land Registry duly certified by the Registrar of Deeds, or be a prominent national officer of a political party or a person of established repute.

The sureties must be persons of reliable means, reside within the court’s jurisdiction and undergo verification by the court registrar.

They are also required to submit tax clearance certificates covering the last three years and two recent passport photographs each.

Ogala is also required to surrender her international passport to the court registrar, while the judge directed that she be released from custody immediately upon fulfilling the bail conditions.

The defendant was arraigned before the court by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation on a four-count charge under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act 2024.

The prosecutor, Tolulope Mokolu, told the judge that Ogala allegedly published nude and intimate photographs of Okafor on her social media accounts without his consent, knowing that the images could cause him embarrassment, emotional distress and reputational damage.

Mokolu also accused the defendant of publishing and disseminating videos, recordings and electronic messages containing information allegedly known to be false and calculated to bully, threaten, intimidate or harass the pastor.

In the third count, the prosecution alleged that Ogala threatened to continue publishing menacing and intimate material about Okafor unless he compensated her or bought her a house.

The prosecution said the alleged conduct, which occurred between September 2024 and March 2026, contravened provisions of Section 24 of the Cybercrimes Act, as amended in 2024.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Justice Aluko has adjourned the matter to March 25, 2027, for the commencement of the trial.