Counsel to Pastor Chris Okafor Mr Ife Ajayi has urged the public to exercise caution in commenting on the cyberstalking trial involving Nollywood actress Doris Ogala stressing that freedom of expression must be exercised within the limits of the law.
Ajayi made the remarks while responding to comments by African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore and Ogala over claims of injustice in the ongoing proceedings.
The Federal High Court in Lagos on Friday adjourned Ogala’s bail hearing until November 6 in the case involving her and Okafor founder of Mountain of Liberation and Miracle Ministry.
Justice Akintayo Aluko ordered that the actress who is also the AAC governorship candidate in Abia State be remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre pending the next hearing.
Ogala is facing trial over allegations of cyberstalking and other offences.
Reacting to the public debate surrounding the case Ajayi said the constitutional right to freedom of expression did not give anyone a licence to make statements that violate others’ rights.
He maintained that public commentary on the matter should take account of the charges before the court and the legal processes governing the case.
According to him allegations involving possible blackmail extortion and other offences should be addressed through the appropriate legal channels rather than being treated solely as a personal disagreement.
Ajayi urged members of the public to obtain and study the charges filed against Ogala before reaching conclusions about the case.
He also maintained that his client’s rights should be considered in the ongoing proceedings while the court determines the allegations against the actress.
ýHe also urged the public to exercise caution in endorsing the actress’s false allegations insisting that such claims should be subjected to legal scrutiny rather than public sentiment.
ýExpressing confidence in the judiciary the lawyer said he was optimistic the court would deliver justice based on the overwhelming print audio and video evidence in compliance with applicable laws.
ý’I am 100 per cent optimistic that the court will do what is right.
ý’The court in all fairness even after the defendant’s lawyer pleaded with it to release her on bail and offered to take responsibility for her conduct gave the prosecution 48 hours to respond’ he said.
ýýAjayi also faulted Ogala’s conduct during the court proceedings alleging that her outburst and disruption of proceedings raised questions about her ability to abide by the conditions of her release.
ýHe said the incident suggested that even her counsel might struggle to guarantee her conduct if she were granted bail.
The lawyer maintained that the courtroom was not a place for emotional outbursts or disrespect stressing that parties to a legal proceeding were expected to conduct themselves in accordance with established rules.
‘You cannot behave disrespectfully at a police station or anywhere else and expect to do the same in a court of law.
The court is where logic and legal accountability prevail’ he said.
Ajayi called on the National Assembly to consider stricter legislation against publicly calling out individuals over private disagreements particularly where such actions could damage reputations or violate others’ rights.
He argued that personal grievances should be addressed through appropriate legal channels rather than through public accusations and campaigns.
‘The law is not about emotion or sentiment. It is about logic and legal accountability.
It is a place where people are held accountable for their unlawful conduct’ he said.
He urged the public not to accept allegations made during the dispute as established facts stressing that the court remained the appropriate institution to determine the issues before it.
On Friday Ogala knelt to apologise to the court for her unruly behaviour during an earlier sitting.
She is facing charges bordering on alleged cyberstalking cyberbullying and attempted extortion of Pastor Okafor.
She expressed remorse before Justice Akintayo Aluko and promised not to repeat the conduct that disrupted proceedings at the previous sitting.
She said she regretted her actions and never expected to find herself in prison custody.