Reported By Mary Udezue | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Nollywood actress Angela Okorie has been granted bail in the sum of N5 million by a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja in the high‑profile cyberbullying and criminal defamation case involving her colleague Mercy Johnson‑Okojie. The decision, delivered on Friday, January 30, 2026, comes after days of legal proceedings and intense public attention.
Justice Emeka Nwite ruled that while the prosecution opposed the bail application, it had failed to convince the court that Okorie would abscond if released. “Therefore, I am minded to grant the bail in the interest of justice,” the judge said, underlining that the exercise of bail is at the discretion of the court and must be conducted judicially and judiciously.
Under the bail conditions, Okorie must produce one surety who is a Level 13 civil servant and must depose to an affidavit of means. The surety is also required to provide their letter of appointment, proof of the last promotion, and two passport photographs, all of which will be subject to verification by the court registrar. Okorie and her surety must submit their passport photographs to the court. Until these conditions are fully verified, the actress will remain at the Suleja Correctional Centre in Niger State. The matter has been adjourned to March 23, 2026, for the commencement of trial.
The bail follows Okorie’s re‑arraignment on a seven‑count amended charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/278/2025, which alleges that between 2024 and 2025 she conspired with co‑defendant Ifeoma Mbonu (currently at large) to commit offences including cyberstalking and criminal defamation contrary to provisions of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015. The prosecution contends that social media posts shared on platforms such as Instagram and TikTok described Mercy Johnson‑Okojie in derogatory terms, including remarks alleging that she was a “blood‑sucking demon,” and were intended to harm her reputation and incite public hatred and emotional distress.
Okorie had initially been remanded at the Suleja Correctional Centre on January 28 after an earlier oral bail application was rejected following her arraignment on a three‑count charge, with the formal bail application scheduled for hearing on January 30.
During Friday’s proceedings, the prosecution, represented by police counsel Victor Okoye, opposed the bail application on the grounds that Okorie had previously been granted administrative bail which she allegedly failed to honour. The prosecution also argued that some of the offences carry prison terms ranging from three to ten years under the Cybercrime Act, and urged the court to be cautious in granting bail.
Defence counsel Earnest Nwoye argued that Okorie had communicated to the police through a letter that she was travelling for medical examination and provided medical evidence to support her claim, contending that the prosecution’s assertion of absconding was “misinformation.” He also maintained that Okorie, as a well‑known public figure, had no intention of evading trial and that denying bail would amount to persecution. “The defendant is to be prosecuted and not persecuted,” he told the court.
The case has captivated national attention due to the high‑profile nature of the individuals involved and broader conversations about online conduct, defamation, and misuse of social media. The bail decision marks a significant procedural development as both sides prepare for trial. Okorie’s legal team will now work to satisfy the bail conditions, after which she may be released pending the March court date, while prosecutors continue to assemble their case ahead of trial.
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