Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday, January 30, granted Nollywood actress Angela Okorie bail in the sum of N5 million over allegations of cyberbullying fellow actress Mercy Johnson-Okojie.
Delivering a ruling on Okorie’s bail application filed by her counsel, Earnest Nwoye, the judge held that although the prosecution opposed the request, there was no concrete evidence before the court to suggest that the defendant would abscond if granted bail.
“Therefore, I am minded to grant the bail in the interest of justice,” Justice Nwite said, noting that the grant of bail lies within the discretion of the court, which must be exercised judicially and judiciously.
The court admitted Okorie to bail in the sum of N5 million with one surety in like amount. The surety, the judge ruled, must be a Level 13 civil servant who is required to depose to an affidavit of means and present a letter of appointment as well as evidence of last promotion.
Justice Nwite further ordered that both Okorie and her surety submit two passport photographs to the court registrar. The residence of the surety is also to be verified by the registrar.
The matter was adjourned until March 23 for trial. Pending the verification and perfection of her bail conditions, the court ordered that Okorie be remanded at the Suleja Correctional Centre.
Okorie was arrested in Lagos on Tuesday, January 27, and flown to Abuja, where she was re-arraigned on Wednesday, January 28. She is facing a seven-count charge bordering on cyberstalking and criminal defamation, allegedly committed between 2024 and 2025 alongside one Ifeoma Mbonu, who is currently at large. The charges are said to contravene provisions of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015.
The actress pleaded not guilty to all seven counts. The prosecuting counsel, Victor Okoye, subsequently requested a trial date to enable the police present witnesses to prove their case.
Earlier, following her arraignment on a separate three-count charge, the court had rejected an oral bail application made by her counsel, Alex Ejesieme, SAN, and ordered her remand pending the hearing of a formal bail application on January 30.
