A Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday granted Nollywood actress, Angela Okorie, bail in the sum of N5m over a seven-count charge bordering on alleged cyberstalking, threats and harassment.
Okorie is being prosecuted under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act following allegations that she transmitted offensive and threatening messages through her social media platforms.
PUNCH Online had earlier reported that the actress was arrested in Lagos on Tuesday by operatives of the Lagos State Criminal Investigation Department and later remanded at the Suleja Correctional Centre in Niger State after her arraignment.
At the resumed hearing on Friday, prosecution counsel, Victor Okoye, told the court that an amended charge dated January 30, 2026, had been filed and served on the defendant.
Defence counsel, Ernest Nwoye, confirmed receipt of the amended charge, after which Okorie pleaded not guilty to all seven counts.
According to the charge sheet, the actress allegedly transmitted offensive and threatening messages between 2024 and 2025 through her social media handles, targeting a fellow Nollywood actress, Mercy Johnson.
The prosecution alleged that the messages were capable of causing a breakdown of law and order and posed a threat to the life of the complainant.
Count 2 of the charges reads: “That you Angela Okorie ‘F’ of 1 Lekki Palm City, Henry MonteronStreet, Ajah, sometime between 2024 and 2025, in the Federal Republic of Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did knowingly and intentionally transmit or cause the transmission of communication through computer system or network on your various social media handles, wherein you stated, ‘Blood sucking demon no see blood suck again, E say na sliming tea, Except there is no God, MJ go and beg people you chop their destinies and destroyed their homes else no peace for the wicked!!! Gospel songs won’t save you. Your heart is dark’, statement you made referring to Mercy Johnson, knowing it to be false for the purpose of causing a breakdown of law and order, and posing a threat to life of the said Mercy Johnson.”
The offence was said to be contrary to Section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, as amended in 2024.
In another count, the prosecution alleged that the defendant made statements referencing the complainant and her late mother in a manner intended to bully, harass and place the complainant in fear of death, violence or bodily harm, contrary to Section 24(2)(a) of the Act.
Moving the bail application, Nwoye told the court that the motion dated January 29 was supported by a five-paragraph affidavit and a written address, which he adopted.
He argued that the defendant was a responsible Nigerian with a known address and had no intention of evading trial.
Opposing the application, Okoye said the prosecution filed a counter-affidavit, claiming that the defendant had previously been granted administrative bail but failed to present herself and her surety when required.
He also told the court that Okorie was being investigated for other offences carrying possible jail terms of between three and 10 years.
Responding, Nwoye dismissed the claims as misleading, stating that the defendant had formally notified the police of her absence due to medical evaluation.
He added that Okorie had submitted medical evidence showing she sustained a bullet wound and had undertaken to report to the police upon returning to Nigeria.
In his ruling, Justice Emeka Nwite held that there was no concrete evidence before the court to suggest that the defendant would jump bail.
He consequently admitted Okorie to bail in the sum of N5m with one surety in like sum.
The judge ruled that the surety must be a Grade Level 13 civil servant who must depose to an affidavit of means and submit appointment and last promotion letters.
“The bail is granted to the defendant/applicant in the sum of five million naira with one surety in like sum who shall be deposed to an affidavit of means.
“Two, the surety shall be a civil servant of grade level 13, who shall deposit his or her appointment and last promotion letter. The defendant/applicant, together with his surety, shall each deposit two copies of their recent passport photograph with the Deputy Chief Registrar of this court.
“The defendant shall be remanded in the Correctional Centre pending the perfection of her bail. That is the ruling of the court,” Justice Nwite said.
The case was adjourned until March 23, 2026, for continuation of trial.
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