Cyberstalking Case: Doris Ogala returns to Kirikiri after court apology

Nollywood actress Doris Ogala, on Friday, knelt down before a Federal High Court in Lagos to apologise to the court over her unruly behaviour during an earlier sitting.

She was, however, returned to the Kirikiri Correctional Centre after the court reserved ruling on her bail application till 6 November.

Ogala, who is facing charges bordering on alleged cyberstalking, cyberbullying and attempted extortion of Pastor Chris Okafor, expressed remorse before Justice Akintayo Aluko, promising not to repeat the conduct that disrupted proceedings at the previous sitting.

The actress, who had been remanded at the correctional centre following her arraignment on Wednesday, personally appealed to the judge, saying she regretted her actions and never expected to find herself in prison custody.

She said, “I am very sorry, my Lord. I apologise for my bad behaviour. I have never been to prison before and I wasn’t expecting that I would do that.

“I regret my actions and I apologise to my Lord. I tender my apologies wholeheartedly. Sorry, this will never happen again going forward.”

Her apology followed the judge’s expression of displeasure over her unruly behaviour on Wednesday, after she was remanded.

Ogala allegedly shouted and sang in the courtroom, disrupting proceedings and forcing the court to rise.

Justice Aluko said her conduct prevented the court from hearing more than seven other cases scheduled for that day.

The judge said he had considered committing the actress for contempt on the day of the incident but decided against it, despite believing that her conduct warranted punishment.

He said, “She should have been given some form of imprisonment, right, on that day, but I kept my cool and I rose.”

The judge further said the actress could have received at least two months’ imprisonment for obstructing court proceedings.

Expressing his displeasure, Aluko said, “Why do you have to start shouting and start singing in the open court? You conducted yourself in a manner that forced the court to rise. That’s what you did, and it’s already recorded.”

He also faulted the defence counsel for failing to begin his address on the bail application by not acknowledging the incident and explaining the defendant’s conduct to the court.

The judge recalled that he had personally directed an accelerated consideration of the bail application, explaining that he had taken steps to ensure that it was heard within 48 hours.

He expressed disappointment that the Wednesday disruption occurred despite the court’s efforts to give the matter accelerated attention.

Ogala’s counsel, Marshal Abubakar, also apologised to the judge, describing the incident as regrettable and assuring the court that such conduct was not consistent with his client’s character.