Sowore Condemns Remand of Doris Ogala, Says ‘This Abuse Must End’

According to a report by Vanguard on Thursday, October 29, 2026, human rights activist and African Action Congress (AAC) leader, Omoyele Sowore, has condemned the remand of Nollywood actress Doris Ogala at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre in Lagos over allegations of cyberbullying, cyberstalking and attempted extortion involving Pastor Chris Okafor.

Ogala was arraigned on Wednesday before Justice Akintayo Aluko of the Federal High Court in Lagos on three counts filed by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation.

The charges reportedly border on the publication of intimate photographs, the dissemination of allegedly false electronic messages and threats against the cleric.

Following her arraignment, the court ordered that the actress be remanded at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre pending the hearing and determination of her bail application.

During the proceedings, the prosecution counsel, Tolulope Mokolu, alleged that Ogala published nude and intimate photographs of Okafor on her social media accounts without his consent between September 2024 and March 2026.

According to the prosecution, the alleged publications were capable of causing annoyance, embarrassment and emotional distress, as well as damaging the pastor’s reputation.

Reacting to the development in a Facebook post, Sowore criticised the police for what he described as the misuse of the Cybercrimes Act to pursue cases involving influential individuals.

The activist questioned the decision to prosecute Ogala over allegations connected to her alleged relationship with the cleric, arguing that private disputes should not automatically become criminal matters.

“Once again, the Nigeria Police Force has deepened its weaponization of the Cybercrimes Act! What kind of society are we becoming? How could anyone be arraigned simply over allegations of having an affair with a pastor? And how could the police actually take such a matter before a Federal High Court judge?” Sowore wrote.

He also expressed concerns about the handling of cases involving religious figures, suggesting that the police and judiciary must guard against any perception that legal processes are being used to settle personal disputes or protect influential individuals.

“Even more troubling is that the case has reportedly been brought before Justice Aluko of the Federal High Court in Lagos, a judge whose handling of cases involving pastors raises serious concerns about judicial impartiality. The perception that the police and judiciary are being used to settle personal scores and protect influential religious figures must be confronted,” he added.

Sowore maintained that law enforcement agencies should not use the Cybercrimes Act to intimidate individuals or turn private relationships into criminal prosecutions.

“The Nigeria Police Force has no business turning private relationships into criminal prosecutions or deploying the Cybercrimes Act as a weapon of intimidation,” he stated.

The activist further argued that Ogala, who is the African Action Congress governorship candidate in Abia State, should be afforded her constitutional rights, including due process and a fair hearing.

He urged the police to refrain from criminalising private disputes and called on the judiciary to remain independent in handling cases involving influential religious personalities.

“The police must stop criminalizing private disputes, and the judiciary must never become an instrument of religious influence or personal vendettas. This abuse must end!” Sowore declared.

The case has been adjourned until October 30, 2026, for the hearing of Ogala’s bail application.

The actress will remain in custody pending the court’s consideration of the application, while the allegations against her remain subject to judicial determination.

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