By Desire Emmanuel
The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Friday, January 30, admitted a Nollywood actress, Angela Okorie, to a N5 million bail with one surety in like sum for allegedly cyberbullying Mercy Johnson-Okojie, also an actress.
Justice Emeka Nwite, in a ruling on Okorie’s bail application moved by her lawyer, Earnest Nwoye, held that though the prosecution opposed the request, there was no concrete evidence before the court to prove that the defendant would jump bail if granted.
“Therefore, I am minded to grant the bail in the interest of justice,” Justice Nwite said.
Therefore, the judge admitted Okorie to N5 million bail with one surety who must depose an affidavit of means and must be a level 13 civil servant.
He said the surety must produce his appointment letter and letter of the last promotion in the service.
The judge ordered Okorie’s and her surety to submit two passport photographs to the court registrar and that the residence of the surety must be verified by the registrar.
Justice Nwite, who adjourned the matter till March 23 for trial, ordered Okorie to be remanded in Suleja Correctional Centre pending perfection of her bail conditions.
Earlier, Okorie was re-arraigned on a seven-count charge bordering on cyberstalking and criminal defamation, which she was alleged to have committed between 2024 and 2025 in violation of the Cybercrime (Prohibition Prevention, Etc) Act, 2015.
She, however, pleaded not guilty after the seven counts were read to her, and the police lawyer, Victor Okoye, sought a trial date to present their witnesses in court in order to establish their case against the actress.
Nwoye, who did not oppose Okoye‘s application for a trial date, informed the court of their bail application filed on January 29, which he said, had been served on the prosecution..
He urged the court to exercise its discretion in favour of the defendant.
According to him, the defendant is ready to make herself available to stand trial.
“She is a known Nigerian who has no place to hide. Therefore, we urge my lord to exercise discretion in her favour,” Nwoye prayed.
Okoye, however, opposed Nwoye’s plea for bail.
He said in opposition, a 29-paragraph counter affidavit, dated January 30, was filed and deposed to by ASP Ahmad Umar, a police officer and member of the team that investigated the case.
The prosecutor, who said four exhibits were attached to their application, described Okorie’s bail request as “unmeritorious.”
Okoye, who stated that the defendant was earlier granted an administrative bail, said the actress absconded.
“Neither the defendant nor the surety presented themselves when she absconded,” he said.
The police lawyer argued that the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) stipulates that where there is clear evidence that a defendant may jump bail, the court is encouraged to exercise caution by refusing such.
Besides, he said the defendant did not respond to their counter affidavit.
According to him, the offences she is being charged with carry between three years and 10 years.
“Therefore, the bail application should be refused my lord,” Okoye said.
It will be recalled that Justice Nwite had, on Wednesday, January 28, ordered Okorie’s remand in the Suleja Correctional Centre, following her earlier arraignment on three-count charge.
The judge had rejected the oral bail application made by the lawyer, who appeared for Okorie, Alex Ejesieme, shortly after she pleaded not guilty to the counts.
He then ordered that the mother of one be remanded until January 30 when her formal bail application would be heard.
Okorie was alleged to have conspired with Ifeoma Mbonu (now at large) to commit cyberstalking and defamation by calling Mercy Johnson Okojie a blood-sucking demon in their posts on their social media platforms of Instagram and Tiktok.
Okorie’s case stemmed from a petition by Mercy Johnson Okojie’s lawyer, in which various allegations were made against her and Ifeoma.
Angela Okorie was said to have published the following statement via her Instagram page @ realagelaokorie:
“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.”
