The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Friday, admitted Nollywood actress Angela Okorie to a ₦5 million bail with one surety in like sum for allegedly cyberbullying Mercy Johnson-Okojie, also an actress.
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Justice Emeka Nwite, in a ruling on Okorie’s bail application moved by her lawyer, Ernest Nwoye, held that although 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, adding that bail is at the discretion of the court, which must be exercised judicially and judiciously.
The judge admitted Okorie to ₦5 million bail with one surety, who must depose to an affidavit of means and must be a Level 13 civil servant.
He said the surety must produce his appointment letter and letter of last promotion in the service.
The judge ordered Okorie 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 until March 23 for trial, ordered Okorie to be remanded in Suleja Correctional Centre pending the verification 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 Cybercrimes (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 witnesses in court to establish the 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 Jan. 29, which he said had been served on the prosecution.
The lawyer said the application prayed the court to grant bail to Okorie pending trial.
He urged the court to exercise its discretion in favour of the defendant.
According to him, the defendant is a known Nigerian who has no place to hide.
“She is a known Nigerian who has no place to hide. Therefore, we urge my lord to exercise the discretion in her favour,” Nwoye prayed.
Okoye, however, opposed the bail application.
He said a 29-paragraph counter-affidavit, dated Jan. 30, was filed and deposed to by ASP Ahmad Umar, a police officer and member of the investigation team.
The prosecutor, who said four exhibits were attached, described the bail request as “unmeritorious.”
Okoye stated that the defendant was earlier granted administrative bail but absconded.
“Neither the defendant nor the surety presented themselves when she absconded,” he said.
He added that the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) encourages the court to exercise caution where there is evidence a defendant may jump bail.
He also said the defendant did not respond to their counter-affidavit.
According to him, some of the offences carry jail terms ranging from three to 10 years.
Nwoye urged the court to discountenance what he described as misinformation by the prosecution.
He said the court was bound by its records, particularly Exhibits NPF1 and NPF4, which showed communication between the defendant and the prosecution.
Contrary to the claim of absconding, Nwoye said Okorie travelled for medical examination and re-evaluation, which was communicated to the police through a letter, supported by medical evidence.
On the claim that the surety failed to appear, he said the surety communicated with the prosecutor, as reflected in Exhibit NPF4.
He argued that continued opposition to bail would amount to persecution rather than prosecution.
Justice Nwite had earlier ordered Okorie’s remand following her arraignment on a three-count charge, after rejecting an oral bail application.
Recall that Okorie, of 1 Henry Montero Street, Lekki Palm City, Ajah, Lagos, is alleged to have conspired with Ifeoma Mbonu (now at large) to commit cyberstalking and defamation by calling Mercy Johnson-Okojie a blood-sucking demon on Instagram and TikTok.
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