A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Friday granted bail to Nollywood actress Angela Okorie, who is facing charges bordering on cyberstalking, threats, and harassment of her colleague, Mercy Johnson, under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act.
Justice Emeka Nwite admitted the actress to bail in the sum of N5m with one surety in like sum after she pleaded not guilty to the seven-count charge. The court ruled that the surety must be a Grade Level 13 civil servant who would depose to an affidavit of means and submit relevant employment documents. The judge further ordered that Okorie remain at the Suleja Correctional Centre pending the perfection of her bail and adjourned the matter until March 23, 2026, for continuation of trial.
Okorie had earlier been remanded following her arraignment after being taken into custody. While initial reports indicated she was arrested by operatives of the Lagos State Criminal Investigation Department, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Adebisi, later clarified that the actress was taken into custody by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre in Abuja.
Confirming the development, filmmaker Ajemba Stanley disclosed that Okorie was charged to court the same day she was arrested and subsequently remanded. During her arraignment, the actress pleaded not guilty to all the charges. Her counsel, Alex Ejesieme, had applied for bail, but the court declined the request and ordered her remand pending the hearing of her formal bail application.
According to the charge filed by the Nigeria Police Force, Okorie allegedly conspired with one Ifeoma Mbonu, who is currently at large, to cyberstalk and defame Mercy Johnson through posts on Instagram and TikTok in 2024. The alleged offences were said to contravene provisions of the Cybercrimes Act, 2015.
A petition written by Mercy Johnson’s lawyer accused Okorie of posting statements intended to cause serious reputational damage and emotional distress. One of the posts cited in the petition read: “Blood sucking demon no see blood suck again, e say na slimming tea. Except there’s no God, MJ go and beg people you chop their destinies and destroy their homes else no peace for the wicked!!! Gospel songs won’t save you. Your heart is dark!!!”
The petition further alleged that the publication was meant to incite hatred, provoke unrest among the public, and further harass and emotionally traumatise the actress.
Prior to the legal action, Okorie had made several allegations against Johnson on social media. In an Instagram post in 2024, she accused Johnson and her mother of being involved in witchcraft. However, in a video post last year, Okorie said she had forgiven Johnson after learning she was seriously ill, stating that she would not wish such an illness on her enemies.
In a subsequent post, Okorie offered another public apology, acknowledging that her earlier actions may have caused harm. She appealed to Johnson for forgiveness, emphasising the importance of her mental health and stating that she harboured no ill will towards her or her family.
Meanwhile, Okorie’s management has denied the allegations of cyberbullying. In a statement shared on Instagram on Thursday, January 29, 2026, the management said the actress “has not engaged in cyberbullying, harassment, or defamation of Mercy Johnson, either online or offline, directly or indirectly.”
The statement acknowledged that both actresses had previously disagreed but said they mutually agreed to refrain from making negative statements about each other, an agreement Okorie allegedly honoured, including issuing a public apology.
The management added that Okorie is cooperating fully with authorities, remains in good health, has access to her legal team, maintains her innocence, and is confident that the judicial process will establish the facts.
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