A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the remand of Nollywood actress, Angela Okorie, in Suleja Prison, Niger State, following her arraignment on charges of criminal defamation and cyberstalking.
Bellnews reports that Justice Emeka Nwite issued the order on Wednesday while ruling on an oral bail application by Okorie’s lawyer, Alex Ejesieme (SAN), shortly after the actress pleaded not guilty to a three-count charge filed by the police.
The judge directed that Okorie, a single mother of one, be kept in custody until January 30, when a formal bail application would be heard.
Okorie, of 1 Henry Montero Street, Lekki Palm City, Ajah, Lagos, is being prosecuted on Charge No: FHC/ABJ/CR/278/2025.
The police allege that she conspired with Ifeoma Mbonu (now at large) to commit cyberstalking and defamation by calling fellow actress Mercy Johnson Okojie a “blood sucking demon” in social media posts on Instagram and TikTok.
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The offences, allegedly committed in 2024, are said to violate the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act, 2015.
After Okorie entered a not‑guilty plea, prosecuting lawyer Victor Okoye urged the court to remand her in prison and fix a date for the prosecution to open its case.
Okoye told the court that Okorie failed to honour police invitations and had jumped bail previously granted administratively.
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“The administrative bail granted the defendant has since expired upon her arraignment,” Okoye argued.
He urged the court to require Okorie to file a formal bail application, enabling the prosecution to produce necessary documents supporting its position.
Ejesieme objected to the remand, telling the judge that his client was not given adequate time to prepare her defence.
He told the court that although the charge was filed in July 2025, a copy was only served on Okorie about an hour before proceedings began. He said she was arrested in Lagos the previous day and brought to Abuja without prior notice.
“My client was never informed about the case in court,” Ejesieme said, adding that police denied him access to Okorie for a proper briefing.
The defence lawyer asked the court to allow Okorie to continue enjoying the earlier administrative bail or to release her to his custody so she could make arrangements for her child in Lagos and file a formal bail application.
Judge Faults Police, Orders Exchange Of Documents
Justice Nwite confirmed that police had invited the defendant on January 16 to report to headquarters in connection with the case, but criticised the force for denying Okorie access to her lawyers before court.
The judge ordered both parties to file and exchange all necessary documents related to the formal bail application within 24 hours.
He also held that Okorie should be remanded in Suleja Prison and be brought before the court on January 30 for the bail hearing.
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The case stems from a petition by Mercy Johnson Okojie’s lawyer, which includes a copy of a social media post allegedly made by Okorie on her Instagram page @realangelaokorie.
The petition cited a statement posted by Okorie describing Johnson as a “blood-sucking demon,” claiming it was malicious and intended to cause “irreparable reputational injury, incite hatred, provoke unrest… and emotionally traumatise” her client.
“This malicious statement was published with the intent to cause irreparable reputational injury… and further harass and emotionally traumatize our client,” the petition stated.
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It accused Okorie of using her social media platforms to intimidate, falsely accuse, and defame Johnson repeatedly.