Defence Deploys Late Medical Excuse to Stall Actress Ogala’s Arraignment
Proceedings for the arraignment of Nollywood actress, Doris Ogala, were stalled at the Federal High Court, Lagos, after her legal team introduced a last-minute medical claim to halt the process.
Ogala, who is facing a four-count charge by the Federal Government over alleged cyberstalking of cleric, Chris Okafor, was absent in court when the case was called before Justice Akintayo Aluko.
Prosecuting counsel, Tolulope Mokuola, pressed the court to issue a bench warrant for her arrest, insisting the defendant had prior notice of the arraignment but failed to appear.
But defence counsel, Temiloluwa Akindayini, moved to block the request, claiming his client had undergone surgery earlier in the week and was recuperating in Abia State.
He told the court that an affidavit to that effect was filed on April 22.
The prosecution, however, accused the defence of deploying the medical excuse as a tactic to stall proceedings, pointing out that the affidavit was neither served on the prosecution nor disclosed before the hearing.
Mokuola also challenged the authenticity of the medical report, arguing that it was not issued by a government hospital and could not be independently verified.
Justice Aluko faulted the defence for the procedural lapses, noting that due process required prior service of all documents on the prosecution.
Despite the objections, the court declined to issue a bench warrant, opting to give the defendant the benefit of the doubt based on the affidavit already before it.
The judge, however, warned against further delays and ordered the defence to regularise its processes.
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He directed that Ogala must present a detailed and verifiable medical report from a government hospital and ensure it is served on the prosecution ahead of the next hearing.
He also mandated her personal appearance in court at the next adjourned date.
The matter was adjourned to June 9, 2026, for arraignment.
According to the charge, the Federal Government alleged that between September 2024 and March 2026, Ogala published indecent materials of Okafor without consent, alongside false and inciting claims, including allegations of rape, ritual practices and involvement in a death.
She is also accused of cyberbullying, harassment, and attempting to extort money and property by threatening continued publication of damaging content, offences said to contravene the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.
