By Habeeb Ibrahim
Nollywood actress Doris Ogala has been remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre in Lagos over four criminal charges following her arraignment before the Federal High Court.
The actress, who pleaded not guilty to all the charges, is expected to return to court on Friday, October 30, for the hearing of her bail application.
The charges were instituted by Chris Okafor, founder of Mountain of Liberty and Miracle Ministry, and border on the alleged publication of personal materials without consent, dissemination of false information, cyberbullying and attempted extortion.
During Wednesday’s proceedings, prosecuting counsel, Tolulope Mokolu, asked the court to remand Ogala, saying he needed time to review and respond to her bail application, which he had only just received.
However, her lawyer, N. C. Atulomah, opposed the request and urged the court to grant her bail.
Atulomah told the court that Ogala was a governorship candidate of a political party in Abia State and assured the judge that she would attend subsequent proceedings.
Justice Akintayo Aluko ruled that the defence had not presented sufficient grounds for her immediate release but directed that the bail application be heard expeditiously.
The judge subsequently ordered her remand at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre and adjourned the case until October 30.
Ogala Accuses Government of Oppression
The court session reportedly ended in commotion after the actress insisted on addressing the judge despite attempts by her lawyer and others to calm her down.
Ogala was heard alleging that government power was being used against her.
“I must talk, this is Nigeria, they are using government power to oppress me. My boyfriend is using government power to oppress me,” she reportedly shouted.
The situation became uncontrollable, prompting the judge to rise for the day.
Following the proceedings, Ogala took to Instagram to accuse several prominent individuals, including cleric Jerry Eze, Suleman Johnson, Chris Okafor and Abia State Governor Alex Otti, of being responsible for her remand.
She alleged that they were afraid she would reveal information she claimed to know about them.
“Jerry Eze, Suleman Johnson and Chris Okafor are responsible for my remand. Alex Otti is fully behind my remand as well. They are afraid of their secret I know. All of them are responsible, believe me,” she wrote.
The allegations against the individuals have not been independently established, and no evidence was provided in the account to substantiate her claims.
The court is expected to hear Ogala’s bail application on Friday, October 30.
