A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has ordered Nollywood actress Doris Ogala to be remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre until the hearing of her bail application.
Ogala was arraigned on Wednesday on four counts filed by Chris Okafor, founder of Mountain of Liberty and Miracle Ministry. The charges concern the alleged publication of private materials without consent, the spread of false information, cyberbullying and attempted extortion.
The actress pleaded not guilty to all the charges. Her arraignment came after the case had failed to proceed during two earlier sittings because of her absence.
Prosecuting counsel Tolulope Mokolu asked the court to keep Ogala in custody, saying he required additional time to study her bail application and respond appropriately.
Her lawyer, N. C. Atulomah, opposed the prosecution’s request. He appealed for her release, arguing that she was a governorship candidate of a political party in Abia State and would attend the next court session as required.
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Justice Akintayo Aluko ruled that the defence had not shown sufficient reasons for the actress to be released immediately. The judge, however, ordered that her bail application be treated expeditiously.
The case was adjourned until October 30 for the hearing of the bail request.
Drama unfolded during the proceedings when Ogala insisted on speaking in court despite efforts by her counsel and others to calm her.
The actress was heard alleging oppression, saying, “This is Nigeria, they are using government power to oppress me. My boyfriend is using government power to oppress me.”
The judge later rose after the courtroom situation became uncontrollable.
In a post published on Instagram after the proceedings, Ogala accused religious figures Jerry Eze, Suleman Johnson and Chris Okafor, as well as Abia Governor Alex Otti, of influencing her remand. She alleged that the individuals feared she would expose information about them.
No evidence establishing those allegations was provided in the account of the proceedings. The immediate legal issue remains the hearing of Ogala’s bail application, scheduled for October 30.
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