Cyberbullying: Court grants Nollywood actress Angela Okorie N5m bail
The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Friday, 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, saying bail is at the discretion of the court which must be exercised judicially and judiciously.
Therefore, the judge admitted Okorie to N5 million bail with one surety who must depose to 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 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 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 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 Jan. 29, which he said had been served on the prosecution. The lawyer said the appplication prayed the court for a bail for Okorie pending trial.
