Nollywood Actress Granted Bail in High-Profile Cyberbullying Case
In a significant legal development, Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to Nollywood actress Angela Okorie in a high-profile cyberbullying case. The ruling, delivered on Thursday, January 30, 2026, comes after Okorie was charged with allegedly cyberbullying fellow actress Mercy Johnson-Okojie.
Court's Decision and Bail Conditions
Justice Nwite granted Okorie bail in the sum of N5 million with one surety in like amount. In his ruling on the bail application, which was moved by Okorie's lawyer Earnest Nwoye, the judge noted that although the prosecution opposed the request, there was insufficient concrete evidence 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 declared, emphasizing that bail is at the discretion of the court and must be exercised judicially and judiciously.
The court imposed strict conditions for the bail, including:
- The surety must be a level 13 civil servant
- The surety must depose to an affidavit of means
- The surety must produce their appointment letter and letter of last promotion
- Both Okorie and her surety must submit two passport photographs to the court registrar
- The residence of the surety must be verified by the registrar
Case Background and Charges
Angela Okorie was arrested in Lagos on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, and subsequently flown to Abuja where she was re-arraigned on Wednesday, January 28. She faces a seven-count charge bordering on cyberstalking and criminal defamation, alleged to have been committed alongside one Ifeoma Mbonu, who is currently at large.
The alleged offenses are said to have occurred between 2024 and 2025 in violation of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act, 2015. Okorie pleaded not guilty to all charges after the seven counts were read to her in court.
Legal Proceedings and Remand
Following her plea, police lawyer Victor Okoye sought a trial date to present witnesses and establish the prosecution's case against the actress. The judge then ordered Okorie's remand in the Suleja Correctional Centre, pending verification of her bail conditions.
This development comes after an earlier arraignment where Okorie faced a three-count charge. During that initial hearing, the judge had rejected an oral bail application made by her lawyer, Alex Ejesieme, SAN, shortly after she pleaded not guilty. The court ordered her remand until January 30 when her formal bail application would be heard.
Next Steps in the Case
Justice Nwite has adjourned the matter until March 23, 2026, for trial. The case continues to draw significant attention within Nigeria's entertainment industry and legal circles, highlighting the growing importance of cybercrime legislation in addressing online harassment and defamation.
The strict bail conditions imposed by the court reflect the seriousness with which cyberbullying cases are being treated under Nigerian law, particularly when involving public figures. As the case proceeds to trial, it will likely set important precedents for how similar matters are handled in the future.
