UPDATED: Actress Angela Okorie Gets N5m Bail

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Thursday granted Nollywood actress, Angela Okorie, bail in the sum of N5m in an alleged criminal defamation and cyberstalking case.

Justice Emeka Nwite granted the bail after listening to arguments from both the prosecution and the defence following Okorie’s re-arraignment on a seven-count amended charge.

Okorie was re-arraigned on charges of criminal defamation and cyberstalking preferred against her by the police.

Victor Okoye appeared for the prosecution, while Ernest Nwoye appeared for the defendant.

When the matter came up on Friday, Okoye informed the court that the prosecution filed an amended charge dated January 30, which was served on the defendant in court.

Nwoye acknowledged receipt of the processes, after which the defendant pleaded not guilty to all seven counts.

Okorie’s lawyer then moved her bail application dated January 29, supported by a five-paragraph affidavit and a written address, urging the court to grant bail.

He argued that the grant or refusal of bail lies at the discretion of the court, adding that the defendant is a responsible Nigerian with a known address and had undertaken to be available throughout trial.

In opposition, Okoye said the prosecution filed a 29-paragraph counter-affidavit dated January 30, deposed to by ASP Ahmad Mubarak Umar, a police officer who investigated the case. He said police documents and a written address were also filed, urging the court to refuse bail.

“I agree that the court has discretion on bail, but such discretion must be exercised judiciously. The defendant was granted administrative bail but failed to make herself available when required. There are also other offences being investigated which attract punishment of more than three years,” Okoye submitted.

Responding, Nwoye urged the court to discount alleged misinformation by the prosecution.

He referred to exhibits NF1 and NF4, which he said showed communications between the defendant and the police, explaining that Okorie travelled for medical evaluation due to a bullet wound and duly informed the police with supporting medical evidence.

He also said the surety informed the police that she travelled for her mother’s burial and remained in communication.

“Opposing bail in this circumstance amounts to persecution rather than prosecution,” Nwoye argued.

Delivering his ruling, Justice Nwite agreed with the defence counsel and said there was no concrete evidence before the court to show that the defendant would jump bail.

The court consequently granted Okorie bail in the sum of N5m, with one surety in like sum. The surety must be a Grade Level 13 civil servant and depose to an affidavit of means, while both the defendant and the surety are to deposit two passport photographs with the court registrar.

Justice Nwite subsequently adjourned proceedings to March 23 for commencement of trial.

In the amended seven-count charge, in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CR/278/2025, Okorie is alleged to have between 2024 and 2025 knowingly transmitted messages through her social media platforms accusing fellow actress Mercy Johnson Okojie of being a “blood-sucking demon” and making other statements the police said were false and capable of causing a breakdown of law and order.

In some of the counts, the defendant was accused of transmitting messages intended to bully, threaten and harass Mercy Johnson, including statements concerning her late mother and her children, in a manner said to place the complainant in fear of death, violence or bodily harm.

She is also alleged to have aided and conspired with one Ifeoma Mbonu (now at large) to commit cyberstalking, contrary to provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015 (as amended).
Petition

Okorie’s prosecution followed a petition written by Mercy Johnson Okojie’s lawyer, in which it was alleged that the actress used her social media platforms to publish defamatory and threatening statements against the complainant.

Part of the petition accused Okorie of engaging in “a relentless and calculated campaign” to incite public hatred, cause reputational damage, and threaten public peace through repeated online publications targeted at Mercy Johnson.

The petition further alleged that the tone and content of the posts were intended to emotionally traumatise the complainant and provoke unrest among members of the public.

The court had on Wednesday ordered the remand of Okorie at the Suleja Correctional Centre, Niger State, pending the hearing of her formal bail application.

Justice Nwite issued the remand order after the defendant pleaded not guilty and following arguments on an oral bail application by her counsel, Alex Ejesieme, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.

The court directed parties to file and exchange documents relating to the bail application and adjourned to January 30 (today) for hearing of the bail application.