Nollywood actress Angela Okorie was on Wednesday remanded in Suleja Correctional Centre by a Federal High Court in Abuja after pleading not guilty to charges of cyberstalking and criminal defamation.
What began as a social media dispute between two Nollywood stars has now escalated into a full-blown legal battle.
Okorie was arraigned before Justice Emeka Nwite on a three-count charge filed by the Nigeria Police Force, alleging violations of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015. She pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
Following her plea, the court ordered that the actress be remanded in custody pending the hearing of her bail application fixed for January 30.
Arrest and Transfer to Abuja
The legal drama followed Okorie’s arrest at her residence in Lagos by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force Cybercrime Centre. She was reportedly held overnight at Yaba Panti after no immediate flight was available to transport her to Abuja.
She was flown to the Federal Capital Territory early Wednesday morning to face court proceedings arising from a petition linked to fellow actress Mercy Johnson Okojie.
Allegations and Charges
According to the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/278/2025, Okorie, who resides at Henry Montero Street, Lekki Palm City, Ajah, Lagos, is accused of conspiring with one Ifeoma Mbonu, currently at large, to engage in cyberstalking and defamation.
The police alleged that the offences were committed in 2024 through posts on Instagram and TikTok, in which Mercy Johnson was described as a “blood-sucking demon.” Prosecutors said the statements were intended to harass, intimidate, and damage the reputation of the actress.
Courtroom Exchanges
After Okorie’s arraignment, prosecuting counsel Victor Okoye urged the court to remand the defendant and adjourn the case for the prosecution to open its case.
However, defence counsel Alex Ejesieme (SAN) objected, arguing that his client was denied fair hearing and adequate time to prepare her defence. He told the court that although the charge was filed in July 2025, it was only served on the defendant about an hour before proceedings began.
Ejesieme further alleged that Okorie was arrested without prior notice of the case and transported from Lagos to Abuja, adding that the police denied him access to his client for proper legal briefing.
Describing Okorie as a single mother of one, the senior advocate urged the court to either allow her to continue enjoying the administrative bail earlier granted by the police or release her to him to enable her make arrangements for her child and file a formal bail application.
In response, the prosecuting counsel argued that the administrative bail had lapsed upon the defendant’s arraignment.
Court’s Ruling
In his ruling, Justice Nwite confirmed that the police had invited the defendant to report to their headquarters on January 16 in connection with the case. However, the judge faulted the police for denying the defendant access to her lawyers prior to court proceedings.
The court ordered Okorie to file a formal bail application within 24 hours and directed both parties to file and exchange all necessary documents. Pending the bail hearing, Justice Nwite ordered that the actress be remanded in Suleja Correctional Centre and produced in court on January 30.
Petition and Background
The case stemmed from a petition dated May 14, 2025, written by Mercy Johnson Okojie’s lawyer, alleging that Okorie had engaged in a sustained campaign of defamatory publications on social media.
The petition described the posts as malicious and calculated, accusing Okorie of attempting to incite public hatred, provoke unrest, and cause emotional trauma through repeated false accusations and criminal intimidation.
As the court prepares to hear the actress’s bail application, the case has continued to draw public attention, reigniting debate over the limits of expression on social media and the growing reach of Nigeria’s cybercrime laws.
What began as a social media dispute between two Nollywood stars has now escalated into a full-blown legal battle, as a Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday ordered the remand of actress Angela Okorie in Suleja Correctional Centre, Niger State, over allegations of cyberstalking and criminal defamation.
Okorie was arraigned before Justice Emeka Nwite on a three-count charge filed by the Nigeria Police Force, alleging violations of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015. She pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
Following her plea, the court ordered that the actress be remanded in custody pending the hearing of her bail application fixed for January 30.
Arrest and Transfer to Abuja
The legal drama followed Okorie’s arrest at her residence in Lagos by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force Cybercrime Centre. She was reportedly held overnight at Yaba Panti after no immediate flight was available to transport her to Abuja.
She was flown to the Federal Capital Territory early Wednesday morning to face court proceedings arising from a petition linked to fellow actress Mercy Johnson Okojie.
Allegations and Charges
According to the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/278/2025, Okorie, who resides at Henry Montero Street, Lekki Palm City, Ajah, Lagos, is accused of conspiring with one Ifeoma Mbonu, currently at large, to engage in cyberstalking and defamation.
The police alleged that the offences were committed in 2024 through posts on Instagram and TikTok, in which Mercy Johnson was described as a “blood-sucking demon.” Prosecutors said the statements were intended to harass, intimidate, and damage the reputation of the actress.
Courtroom Exchanges
After Okorie’s arraignment, prosecuting counsel Victor Okoye urged the court to remand the defendant and adjourn the case for the prosecution to open its case.
However, defence counsel Alex Ejesieme (SAN) objected, arguing that his client was denied fair hearing and adequate time to prepare her defence. He told the court that although the charge was filed in July 2025, it was only served on the defendant about an hour before proceedings began.
Ejesieme further alleged that Okorie was arrested without prior notice of the case and transported from Lagos to Abuja, adding that the police denied him access to his client for proper legal briefing.
Describing Okorie as a single mother of one, the senior advocate urged the court to either allow her to continue enjoying the administrative bail earlier granted by the police or release her to him to enable her make arrangements for her child and file a formal bail application.
In response, the prosecuting counsel argued that the administrative bail had lapsed upon the defendant’s arraignment.
Court’s Ruling
In his ruling, Justice Nwite confirmed that the police had invited the defendant to report to their headquarters on January 16 in connection with the case. However, the judge faulted the police for denying the defendant access to her lawyers prior to court proceedings.
The court ordered Okorie to file a formal bail application within 24 hours and directed both parties to file and exchange all necessary documents. Pending the bail hearing, Justice Nwite ordered that the actress be remanded in Suleja Correctional Centre and produced in court on January 30.
Petition and Background
The case stemmed from a petition dated May 14, 2025, written by Mercy Johnson Okojie’s lawyer, alleging that Okorie had engaged in a sustained campaign of defamatory publications on social media.
The petition described the posts as malicious and calculated, accusing Okorie of attempting to incite public hatred, provoke unrest, and cause emotional trauma through repeated false accusations and criminal intimidation.
As the court prepares to hear the actress’s bail application, the case has continued to draw public attention, reigniting debate over the limits of expression on social media and the growing reach of Nigeria’s cybercrime laws.
What began as a social media dispute between two Nollywood stars has now escalated into a full-blown legal battle, as a Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday ordered the remand of actress Angela Okorie in Suleja Correctional Centre, Niger State, over allegations of cyberstalking and criminal defamation.
Okorie was arraigned before Justice Emeka Nwite on a three-count charge filed by the Nigeria Police Force, alleging violations of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015. She pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
Following her plea, the court ordered that the actress be remanded in custody pending the hearing of her bail application fixed for January 30.
Arrest and Transfer to Abuja
The legal drama followed Okorie’s arrest at her residence in Lagos by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force Cybercrime Centre. She was reportedly held overnight at Yaba Panti after no immediate flight was available to transport her to Abuja.
She was flown to the Federal Capital Territory early Wednesday morning to face court proceedings arising from a petition linked to fellow actress Mercy Johnson Okojie.
Allegations and Charges
According to the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/278/2025, Okorie, who resides at Henry Montero Street, Lekki Palm City, Ajah, Lagos, is accused of conspiring with one Ifeoma Mbonu, currently at large, to engage in cyberstalking and defamation.
The police alleged that the offences were committed in 2024 through posts on Instagram and TikTok, in which Mercy Johnson was described as a “blood-sucking demon.” Prosecutors said the statements were intended to harass, intimidate, and damage the reputation of the actress.
Courtroom Exchanges
After Okorie’s arraignment, prosecuting counsel Victor Okoye urged the court to remand the defendant and adjourn the case for the prosecution to open its case.
However, defence counsel Alex Ejesieme (SAN) objected, arguing that his client was denied fair hearing and adequate time to prepare her defence. He told the court that although the charge was filed in July 2025, it was only served on the defendant about an hour before proceedings began.
Ejesieme further alleged that Okorie was arrested without prior notice of the case and transported from Lagos to Abuja, adding that the police denied him access to his client for proper legal briefing.
Describing Okorie as a single mother of one, the senior advocate urged the court to either allow her to continue enjoying the administrative bail earlier granted by the police or release her to him to enable her make arrangements for her child and file a formal bail application.
In response, the prosecuting counsel argued that the administrative bail had lapsed upon the defendant’s arraignment.
Court’s Ruling
In his ruling, Justice Nwite confirmed that the police had invited the defendant to report to their headquarters on January 16 in connection with the case. However, the judge faulted the police for denying the defendant access to her lawyers prior to court proceedings.
The court ordered Okorie to file a formal bail application within 24 hours and directed both parties to file and exchange all necessary documents. Pending the bail hearing, Justice Nwite ordered that the actress be remanded in Suleja Correctional Centre and produced in court on January 30.
Petition and Background
The case stemmed from a petition dated May 14, 2025, written by Mercy Johnson Okojie’s lawyer, alleging that Okorie had engaged in a sustained campaign of defamatory publications on social media.
The petition described the posts as malicious and calculated, accusing Okorie of attempting to incite public hatred, provoke unrest, and cause emotional trauma through repeated false accusations and criminal intimidation.
As the court prepares to hear the actress’s bail application, the case has continued to draw public attention, reigniting debate over the limits of expression on social media and the growing reach of Nigeria’s cybercrime laws.