Mercy Johnson: Court finally grants Angela Okorie ₦5m bail

The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted Nollywood actress Angela Okorie bail in the sum of ₦5 million in connection with an alleged criminal defamation and cyberstalking case.

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

Recall that the court had on Wednesday remanded the actress at the Suleja Correctional Centre, Niger State, pending the hearing of a formal bail application.

Okorie, who pleaded not guilty, is being prosecuted under Charge No: FHC/ABJ/CR/278/2025. The police allege that she conspired with one Ifeoma Mbonu (currently at large) to commit cyberstalking and defamation by describing a fellow actress, Mercy Johnson Okojie, as a “blood-sucking demon” in social media posts shared on Instagram and TikTok.

According to the prosecution, the alleged offences were committed in 2024 and contravene provisions of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act, 2015.

Earlier in the proceedings, prosecuting counsel Victor Okoye urged the court to remand Okorie and set a date for the prosecution to open its case, arguing that the actress failed to honour police invitations and had jumped a previously granted administrative bail.

“The administrative bail granted the defendant has expired upon her arraignment,” Okoye told the court, adding that a formal bail application was necessary to enable the prosecution present relevant documents.

However, Okorie’s counsel, Alex Ejesieme (SAN), opposed the remand, stating that his client was not given adequate time to prepare her defence. He told the court that although the charge was filed in July 2025, it was served on Okorie barely an hour before proceedings commenced.

Ejesieme further informed the court that Okorie was arrested in Lagos and transported to Abuja without prior notice, adding that the police denied him access to his client for proper briefing.

“My client was never informed about the case in court,” he said, urging the judge to either allow her continue on the earlier administrative bail or release her to his custody to enable her make arrangements for her child and file a formal bail application.

In his ruling on Friday, Justice Nwite granted Okorie bail in the sum of ₦5 million, with conditions to be perfected before her release, at the Federal High Court.

The case has been adjourned to a later date for commencement of trial.