Cyberstalking: Doris Ogala kneels before judge, apologises for courtroom outburst

Spread the wordNollywood actress Doris Ogala on Friday knelt before a Federal High Court in Lagos to apologise for her unruly conduct during an earlier court sitting but remained in custody after the judge reserved ruling on her bail application until November 6, 2026.

Ogala, who is facing charges bordering on alleged cyberstalking, cyberbullying and attempted extortion involving Pastor Chris Okafor, expressed remorse before Justice Akintayo Aluko and promised not to repeat the behaviour that disrupted proceedings on Wednesday.

Her apology came as her lawyer, Marshal Abubakar, announced plans to petition the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, seeking the withdrawal of the charges.

Abubakar described the dispute as a private disagreement between former lovers, arguing that it should not have resulted in criminal prosecution.

Addressing the court, the actress pleaded for forgiveness and expressed regret over her behaviour at the previous sitting, during which she allegedly shouted and sang in the courtroom.

“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,” she told the court.

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

Justice Aluko had earlier expressed displeasure over the incident, which forced the court to suspend proceedings and prevented it from hearing more than seven other cases scheduled for that day.

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

He said the actress could have faced at least two months’ imprisonment for obstructing court proceedings.

The judge also faulted her defence counsel for failing to acknowledge the disruption and explain his client’s conduct before proceeding with arguments on the bail application.

He recalled that he had personally directed an accelerated hearing of the application and taken steps to ensure it was heard within 48 hours.

Abubakar also apologised to the judge, describing the incident as regrettable and assuring the court that such behaviour was inconsistent with his client’s character.

Defence, prosecution disagree over bail conditions

Following the apologies, the court proceeded to hear arguments on Ogala’s bail application.

Moving the application, Abubakar urged the court to admit his client to bail, arguing that the prosecution had effectively acknowledged her entitlement to bail by proposing conditions for her release in its counter-affidavit.

He submitted that the prosecution’s position showed it was not opposed to her release but was concerned about the conditions to be imposed.

The lawyer urged the court to exercise its discretion judicially and impose reasonable conditions that would not unnecessarily restrict Ogala’s liberty pending trial.

However, prosecution counsel, Tolulope Mokolu, urged the court to impose stringent bail conditions, citing concerns about the actress’s social media activities and their possible effect on witnesses.

Although acknowledging Ogala’s constitutional right to freedom of speech and expression, Mokolu argued that such rights were not absolute and must be exercised within the limits of the law.

The prosecution asked the court to restrict her contact with witnesses and access to their addresses, as well as prevent her from making social media publications capable of influencing witnesses or undermining the proceedings.

It also urged the court to attach appropriate sanctions to any breach of the proposed bail conditions.

After listening to both parties, Justice Aluko reserved ruling on the bail application until November 6, 2026. Ogala was subsequently returned to the Kirikiri Correctional Centre.

Speaking after the proceedings, Abubakar faulted the prosecution of his client, arguing that her arrest, investigation and arraignment violated her fundamental rights, particularly her constitutionally guaranteed right to freedom of expression.

He maintained that the disagreement arose from a private relationship between Ogala and Okafor, whom he described as former lovers.

According to him, allegations of defamation should ordinarily be addressed through civil proceedings rather than criminal prosecution.

Abubakar argued that the state should not deploy criminal law to intervene in private disagreements involving individuals expressing their grievances.

He also criticised what he described as the criminalisation of free speech, insisting that democracy accommodates dissent and criticism, including expressions that may be considered offensive.

The lawyer called for the removal of provisions of the Cybercrimes Act which, according to him, criminalise freedom of expression.

He recalled that legal challenges had been instituted against provisions of the Cybercrimes Act 2015, particularly Section 24, in 2022, adding that two separate judgments had declared the provisions unconstitutional on grounds that they violated freedom of expression and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

He further alleged that despite the National Assembly’s amendment of the Act in 2024 to address concerns surrounding the criminalisation of free speech, security agencies had continued to apply the law without adequately reflecting the changes.

Abubakar insisted that anyone who considered himself defamed should institute a civil action rather than use law enforcement agencies to arrest and prosecute critics.

He said he would formally petition the Attorney-General of the Federation to discontinue the case, maintaining that the charges should not have been filed.

Ogala was arraigned on Wednesday by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation on a three-count charge bordering on alleged cyberbullying, cyberstalking and attempted extortion involving Pastor Okafor.

The prosecution alleged that the offences were committed between September 2024 and March 2026.

Mokolu told the court that Ogala allegedly published nude and intimate photographs of Okafor on her social media accounts without his consent, exposing him to embarrassment, emotional distress and reputational damage.

The actress pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The court is expected to deliver its ruling on her bail application on November 6, 2026.