Nollywood actress Doris Ogala on Friday knelt before a Federal High Court in Lagos to apologise for her unruly behaviour during an earlier court sitting.
However, the actress was returned to the Kirikiri Correctional Centre after the court reserved its ruling on her bail application until 6 November.
Ogala is facing charges bordering on alleged cyberstalking, cyberbullying and attempted extortion involving Pastor Chris Okafor.
Appearing before Justice Akintayo Aluko, the actress expressed remorse over her conduct during Wednesday’s proceedings, promising not to repeat the behaviour that disrupted the court session.
Ogala, who was 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.
“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 the previous sitting, when she allegedly shouted and sang in the courtroom, disrupting proceedings and forcing the court to rise.
Justice Aluko said her actions prevented the court from attending to more than seven other cases scheduled for that day.
The judge disclosed that he had considered committing the actress for contempt on Wednesday 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 stated 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 incident and explain the defendant’s conduct before beginning his address on the bail application.
The judge recalled that he had personally directed an accelerated hearing of the bail application, taking steps to ensure it would be considered within 48 hours.
He expressed disappointment that the 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.
Following the proceedings, the court reserved its ruling on the bail application until 6 November, while Ogala was returned to the Kirikiri Correctional Centre.
