Nollywood actress Doris Ogala on Friday knelt before a Federal High Court in Lagos, begging for forgiveness over her unruly behaviour which disrupted proceedings at an earlier sitting.
The actress, who is facing charges of alleged cyberstalking, cyberbullying and attempted extortion involving Pastor Chris Okafor, expressed remorse before Justice Akintayo Aluko, promising never to repeat the conduct.
However, her apology did not secure her immediate freedom as the court reserved ruling on her bail application until November 6, 2026.
Ogala, who has been in custody at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre since her arraignment on Wednesday, personally appealed to the judge, saying she regretted her actions and never imagined she would end up in prison.
“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 pleaded.
Her apology followed the judge’s strong criticism of her conduct during Wednesday’s proceedings, when she allegedly shouted and sang inside the courtroom, forcing the court to rise.
Justice Aluko said Ogala’s behaviour disrupted proceedings to the extent that more than seven other cases scheduled for hearing that day could not be attended to.
The judge disclosed that he had considered committing her for contempt but restrained himself, despite believing that her conduct deserved punishment.
He said the actress could have been sentenced to at least two months in prison for obstructing court proceedings.
“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,” the judge said.
Aluko also faulted Ogala’s lawyer, Marshal Abubakar, for failing to address the incident at the beginning of his submissions on the bail application.
He recalled that he had personally directed that the bail application be heard on an accelerated basis, taking steps to ensure it was considered within 48 hours.
Abubakar also apologised on behalf of his client, describing her courtroom conduct as regrettable and inconsistent with the character he had known her to possess.
Following the apologies, the court proceeded to hear arguments on the bail application.
The defence counsel urged the judge to release Ogala on bail, arguing that the prosecution had effectively acknowledged her entitlement to bail by proposing conditions for her release in its counter-affidavit.
He maintained that the court should impose reasonable conditions rather than restrictions that could undermine her right to liberty pending trial.
However, prosecution counsel, Tolulope Mokolu, urged the court to impose stringent conditions, citing concerns over Ogala’s social media activities and the possibility of interference with witnesses.
Mokolu argued that although the actress enjoyed the constitutional right to freedom of expression, the right was not absolute and must be exercised within the limits of the law.
He urged the court to restrict her contact with witnesses, prevent her from accessing their addresses and prohibit social media publications capable of influencing witnesses or undermining the trial.
The prosecution also called for appropriate sanctions if she violated any bail conditions.
After listening to both parties, Justice Aluko adjourned ruling on the bail application until November 6.
Ogala was subsequently returned to Kirikiri Correctional Centre pending the court’s decision.
LAWYER VOWS TO PETITION FAGBEMI
Meanwhile, Ogala’s lawyer has vowed to petition the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, demanding the withdrawal of the criminal charges against the actress.
Abubakar described the case as a private dispute between former lovers which, according to him, should not have been turned into a criminal prosecution.
Speaking after Friday’s proceedings, the lawyer argued that his client’s arrest, investigation and prosecution amounted to an infringement on her fundamental rights.
He maintained that the dispute originated from a failed romantic relationship in which one party allegedly felt cheated.
“The subject matter that led to this entire transaction in this matter was purely a matter between a boyfriend and a girlfriend. Where former lovers fell apart, and one of the lovers felt cheated, and she reacted through the platform that she has,” he said.
Abubakar argued that anyone who felt defamed by another person’s statements should seek redress through civil proceedings rather than using law enforcement agencies to arrest and prosecute the individual.
He insisted that democracy accommodates criticism and dissent, even where the expressions are considered offensive.
According to him, the criminalisation of free speech through the use of cybercrime laws could create fear among Nigerians and discourage them from expressing their grievances.
The lawyer also called for the removal of provisions of the Cybercrimes Act which he claimed were being used to suppress freedom of expression.
He recalled that Section 24 of the Cybercrimes Act 2015 had faced constitutional challenges over its implications for free speech, leading to court judgments and subsequent amendments to the law in 2024.
However, he alleged that security agencies had continued to apply the legislation without adequately reflecting the changes.
Abubakar further accused influential individuals and public officials of using law enforcement agencies to intimidate critics.
He said people with financial and political influence could allegedly deploy security agencies against those who criticised or insulted them.
The lawyer said he would formally approach Fagbemi to intervene and discontinue the prosecution.
“It is also my honest belief that this matter should be discontinued and the charges withdrawn. In that regard, I will be filing an application to the Minister of Justice and the Attorney-General to withdraw this charge because it ought not to have been filed in the first place,” he said.
THE CHARGES
Ogala was arraigned on Wednesday by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation on three counts bordering on alleged cyberbullying, cyberstalking and attempted extortion involving Pastor Okafor.
According to the prosecution, the alleged offences occurred between September 2024 and March 2026.
Mokolu alleged that the actress published nude and intimate photographs of Okafor on her social media accounts without his consent, exposing him to embarrassment, emotional distress and reputational damage.
Ogala pleaded not guilty to the charges.
She remains at Kirikiri Correctional Centre pending the court’s ruling on her bail application on November 6.
