Omoyele Sowore, a human rights activist, has denounced the remand of actress Doris Ogala at the Kirikiri prison pending the hearing and determination of her bail plea over alleged cyberbullying, cyberstalking and attempted extortion of Pastor Chris Okafor.
Ogala was yesterday arraigned on three counts by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation before Justice Akintayo Aluko of the Federal High Court in Lagos on allegations bordering on the publication of intimate photographs, dissemination of allegedly false electronic messages and threats against the cleric, reports Vanguard.
Between September 2024 and March 2026, Ogala uploaded nude and intimate images of Okafor on her social media sites without his knowledge, Tolulope Mokolu, counsel for the prosecution, told the court.
He claimed the publishing was capable of inflicting discomfort, embarrassment, emotional pain and damage to the cleric’s reputation.
Sowore posted on Facebook, accusing the police of using the Cybercrimes Act to advance the interests of “influential figures”.
Nigeria Police Force has just escalated the weaponization of Cybercrimes Act! What kind of civilisation are we turning into? Who is arraigned just because it is alleged that they had an affair with a pastor? And how could the police actually take such a thing to a Federal High Court judge?
“What is more worrisome 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. We have to tackle the idea that the police and the judiciary are being used to settle personal scores and to protect powerful religious people.
He added: “It is not the business of the Nigeria Police Force to criminalise private relationships or to use the Cybercrimes Act as a weapon of intimidation.”
Sowore said Ogala, the governorship candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) in Abia State, deserved complete protection of her constitutional rights, due process and a fair hearing.
“The police ought to stop criminalising private disputes and the judiciary must not be a tool for religious influence or personal revenge. “This abuse needs to stop!” he added.
Ogala’s matter was adjourned till tomorrow, Friday 30th of October 2026 for hearing on her bail application.
