Nollywood actress Doris Ogala has been ordered to remain at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre after a Federal High Court in Lagos remanded her pending the hearing of her bail application.
Ogala appeared before the court on Wednesday and denied four charges brought against her by the prosecution. The charges include the alleged publication of personal materials without consent, spreading false information, cyberbullying and attempted extortion.
The case was filed by Chris Okafor, who founded Mountain of Liberty and Miracle Ministry. Proceedings had previously been delayed for two consecutive sittings because the actress was absent.
At the latest hearing, prosecuting counsel Tolulope Mokolu asked the court to remand Ogala while he examined her bail application, which he said had only recently reached him.
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Defence lawyer N. C. Atulomah opposed the request and appealed for bail. He told the court that Ogala was contesting for the governorship of Abia State under a political party and promised that she would appear at the next hearing.
Justice Akintayo Aluko ruled that the defence had not presented adequate grounds for her immediate release. He ordered an accelerated hearing of the bail application and fixed October 30 for the matter.
The proceedings took a dramatic turn when Ogala repeatedly insisted on addressing the court, despite attempts by her lawyer and others to calm her.
“I must talk, this is Nigeria, they are using government power to oppress me. My boyfriend is using government power to oppress me,” she reportedly shouted.
The judge eventually ended the session after the commotion became difficult to manage.
Afterwards, Ogala used her Instagram account to allege that Jerry Eze, Suleman Johnson, Chris Okafor and Abia State Governor Alex Otti were responsible for her remand. She claimed they feared that she would reveal secrets about them.
The claims were made by the actress and should not be treated as established facts. The court is expected to hear her bail application on October 30.
