Nollywood actress Angela Okorie has been remanded in custody at the Suleja Correctional Centre in Niger State following her arraignment before a Federal High Court in Abuja on alleged cyberstalking and criminal defamation charges.
The actress was arrested at her residence in Lagos on Tuesday, January 27, by operatives from the Nigeria Police Force Cybercrime Centre after extended investigations into a case linked to repeated social media posts targeting fellow actress Mercy Johnson Okojie.
According to court records, Okorie faced a three-count charge accusing her of conspiring with an associate, identified as Ifeoma Mbonu, to publish malicious statements via Instagram and TikTok intended to damage Johnson’s reputation and cause emotional distress. The allegations reportedly breach provisions of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act, 2015.
Okorie pleaded not guilty to all counts when arraigned before Justice Emeka Nwite on Wednesday. Her legal team, led by Senior Advocate Alex Ejesieme (SAN), applied for bail, but the court declined, ordering her to remain in Suleja Prison pending a formal bail hearing scheduled for January 30.
Prosecuting counsel Victor Okoye argued that the administrative bail previously granted the actress had lapsed upon her formal arraignment, prompting the court’s decision to remand her. The defence, meanwhile, contended that Okorie was handed the charges with inadequate time to prepare her defence and that she was denied proper access to her legal team prior to the hearing.
The case stems from a petition filed by lawyers for Mercy Johnson, which includes excerpts from social media posts alleged to contain defamatory and inflammatory language. The court has directed both parties to exchange necessary legal documents ahead of the bail application hearing.
News of Okorie’s arrest and remand sparked mixed reactions across social media, with supporters decrying the use of police power while others stressed the need for responsible conduct online.
Colleagues and friends of the actress have reportedly mobilised to secure her release, insisting that any disputes should be resolved through appropriate legal channels.
As the legal process unfolds, Okorie remains in custody at Suleja Prison, where she is expected to stay until her bail hearing later this week.
