Nollywood actress Doris Ogala knelt before a Federal High Court in Lagos on Friday and delivered a heartfelt apology for her earlier unruly behaviour that brought proceedings to a halt. The actress, who faces charges of alleged cyberstalking, cyberbullying and attempted extortion involving Pastor Chris Okafor, expressed deep remorse before Justice Akintayo Aluko yet remained in custody as the court reserved ruling on her bail application until November 6.
Ogala had been remanded at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre following her arraignment on Wednesday. After the remand order, she allegedly shouted and sang inside the open courtroom, forcing the judge to rise and preventing the court from hearing more than seven other cases scheduled for that day. Justice Aluko later revealed that he considered committing her for contempt and that her conduct could have attracted at least two months’ imprisonment, but he chose to restrain himself.
On Friday the actress personally addressed the court.
“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 thatI regret my actions and I apologise to my Lord. I tender my apologies wholeheartedly. Sorry, this will never happen again going forward,” she said while on her knees.
Her counsel, Marshal Abubakar, also apologised on her behalf, describing the incident as regrettable and assuring the court that such behaviour was out of character. The judge still expressed strong displeasure, asking why she had started shouting and singing in open court and noting that the disruption was already on record.
After the apologies, the court heard arguments on the bail application. The defence urged reasonable conditions, arguing that the prosecution’s counter-affidavit effectively acknowledged her entitlement to bail. The prosecution, however, pressed for stringent conditions, citing concerns that Ogala’s continued social media activity could interfere with witnesses and the administration of justice. Justice Aluko reserved his ruling until November 6 and ordered that the actress return to Kirikiri pending the decision.
The charges stem from allegations that between September 2024 and March 2026 Ogala published nude and intimate photographs of Pastor Okafor on her social media accounts without his consent, causing him embarrassment and reputational harm. She has pleaded not guilty. Her lawyer has indicated plans to petition the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, to withdraw the charges, describing the matter as a private dispute between former lovers rather than a criminal case.