Nollywood Actress Doris Ogala Kneels In Court To Apologize Over Outburst, Remanded Till Nov 6
Nollywood actress, Doris Ogala, today knelt before a Federal High Court in Lagos to tender an apology over her unruly conduct during a previous court sitting.
Despite her apology, she was returned to the Kirikiri Correctional Centre as the court adjourned ruling on her bail application to November 6.
Ogala is standing trial for alleged cyberstalking, cyberbullying and attempted extortion of Pastor Chris Okafor.
The actress, who was remanded on Wednesday after her arraignment, showed remorse before Justice Akintayo Aluko, pledging never to repeat the behaviour that disrupted court proceedings.
In her plea, 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 came after the judge expressed dissatisfaction with her conduct on Wednesday following her remand order.
Ogala was said to have shouted and sang inside the courtroom, causing disruption and compelling the court to rise abruptly.
Justice Aluko noted that her actions prevented the court from attending to over seven other cases listed for that day.
The judge disclosed that he had considered committing her for contempt right there on Wednesday but restrained himself, even though her conduct deserved punishment.
He stated, “She should have been given some form of imprisonment, right, on that day, but I kept my cool and I rose.”
He added that the actress could have bagged at least two months in prison for obstructing judicial proceedings.
Condemning her action, 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.”
The judge also criticized the defence counsel for failing to start his bail application by acknowledging the incident and offering an explanation for his client’s conduct.
He noted that he had known the defendant for some time and did not expect such behaviour from her.
After the apologies, the court went ahead to hear arguments on the bail application.
Moving the application, Abubakar prayed the court to grant his client bail, contending that the prosecution had indirectly conceded that she was entitled to bail by suggesting conditions for her release in its counter-affidavit.
He argued that the prosecution’s stance indicated it was not against her being released, but was only particular about the bail conditions.
BY ABDULBAQI JIBREEL AJAO
