The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the remand of Nollywood actress Angela Okorie at the Suleja Correctional Centre in Niger State following her arraignment on charges bordering on cyberstalking and criminal defamation.
Justice Emeka Nwite issued the remand order on Wednesday after Okorie pleaded not guilty to a three-count charge instituted against her by the Nigeria Police Force. The judge ruled on an oral bail request made by her counsel, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Alex Ejesieme, directing that a formal bail application be filed and heard on January 30.
Okorie, who is a single mother, was arraigned in connection with Charge No: FHC/ABJ/CR/278/2025. The police allege that she conspired with one Ifeoma Mbonu, who is currently at large, to harass and defame fellow Nollywood actress Mercy Johnson Okojie through posts shared on Instagram and TikTok.
According to the prosecution, the alleged offences occurred in 2024 and contravene provisions of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015. The controversial posts reportedly described Mercy Johnson as a “blood-sucking demon,” a statement the complainant claims was deliberately made to damage her reputation.
Following Okorie’s plea, prosecuting counsel Victor Okoye urged the court to remand the actress in custody and adjourn the matter for the prosecution to commence trial. He argued that Okorie had previously failed to honour police invitations and had violated the terms of an administrative bail earlier granted to her.
“The administrative bail has lapsed upon her arraignment before this court,” Okoye submitted, insisting that the defence must file a proper bail application to enable the prosecution respond with supporting documents.
However, Okorie’s lawyer strongly opposed her remand, accusing the police of denying his client fair treatment. Ejesieme told the court that although the charge was filed months earlier, Okorie only received a copy of it shortly before the proceedings began.
He further stated that the actress was arrested in Lagos and transported to Abuja without prior notice and was not allowed sufficient access to her legal team for consultation. He appealed to the court to either allow Okorie continue on administrative bail or release her into his custody to enable her make arrangements for her child and properly apply for bail.
In his ruling, Justice Nwite faulted the police for preventing the defendant from meeting her lawyers ahead of her arraignment. The judge confirmed that Okorie had been invited by the police earlier in January but noted that her legal rights must be respected.
The court subsequently ordered both parties to file and exchange all documents relevant to the bail application within 24 hours. Justice Nwite also directed that Okorie be remanded at the Suleja Correctional Centre and produced in court on January 30 for the bail hearing.
The case originated from a petition submitted by Mercy Johnson Okojie’s legal representatives, who attached screenshots of the alleged social media posts from Okorie’s Instagram handle, @realangelaokorie. The petition claims the posts were malicious, defamatory, and intended to incite hatred, cause emotional distress, and inflict lasting damage on Johnson’s public image.
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The prosecution alleges that Okorie repeatedly used her online platforms to intimidate, harass, and make false accusations against the complainant.
The matter has been adjourned to January 30 for the hearing of Okorie’s bail application.
