ABUJA — The Inspector-General of Police and Nollywood actress Angela Okorie are exploring an out-of-court settlement in an alleged criminal defamation case arising from a petition by fellow actress, Mercy Johnson-Okojie.
Counsel to the I-G, C. Odinaka, and Okorie’s lawyer, W.I. Okereke, informed Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, that both parties had commenced discussions aimed at reaching an amicable resolution.
Okorie is being prosecuted by the police over allegations of cyberbullying Johnson-Okojie. She was re-arraigned on a seven-count charge bordering on cybercrimes and granted N5 million bail on January 30.
At Monday’s proceedings, Odinaka told the court that settlement talks were underway, a position corroborated by Okereke, who confirmed that both sides had agreed to resolve the matter out of court.
Justice Nwite described the development as encouraging and urged the parties to conclude discussions promptly. He granted an adjournment to April 21 for a report on the settlement.
Meanwhile, Johnson-Okojie, in a letter dated March 18 to the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre, requested the withdrawal of the petition and discontinuation of proceedings against Okorie.
The request, conveyed through her lawyer, A. Agbi, followed appeals from influential individuals, including associates of her husband.
Earlier in the case, the court had ordered Okorie’s remand at Suleja Correctional Centre after she pleaded not guilty to an earlier three-count charge, before granting her bail.
The amended charge alleges that Okorie and a co-defendant at large used social media platforms, including Instagram and TikTok, to publish defamatory statements against Johnson-Okojie, allegedly intended to damage her reputation and incite public hostility.
