Actress Doris Ogala kneels, apologises to court over unruly behaviour

However, she was returned to the Kirikiri Correctional Centre after the court reserved its ruling on her bail application until 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 was remanded at the correctional centre following her arraignment on Wednesday, personally appealed to the judge, saying she regretted her actions and had never expected to find herself in prison custody.

“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,” she said.

Her apology followed the judge’s expression of displeasure over her conduct during Wednesday’s proceedings, when she allegedly shouted and sang in the courtroom, disrupting the sitting and forcing the court to rise.

Justice Aluko said the incident prevented the court from attending to more than seven other cases scheduled for that day.

The judge disclosed that he had considered committing Ogala for contempt but decided against it, despite believing that her conduct warranted punishment.

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

Aluko further noted that the actress could have faced at least two months’ imprisonment for obstructing court proceedings.

Expressing his displeasure, the judge 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 criticised the defence counsel for failing to acknowledge the previous incident and explain his client’s conduct before proceeding with arguments on the bail application.

The judge recalled that he had personally directed that the bail application be given accelerated consideration, taking steps to ensure it was heard within 48 hours.

He expressed disappointment that the disruption occurred despite the court’s efforts to expedite the hearing.

Ogala’s counsel, Marshal Abubakar, also apologised to the judge, describing the incident as regrettable and assuring the court that such behaviour was not characteristic of his client.

The court subsequently adjourned its ruling on the actress’s bail application until 6 November, while she was returned to the Kirikiri Correctional Centre.

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