Nollywood Legal Feud Ends: Court Discharges Angela Okorie as Mercy Johnson-Okojie Withdraws Defamation Charges

Angela Okorie discharged as Mercy Johnson-Okojie withdraws defamation charges in Abuja court. Read about the out-of-court settlement ending the Nollywood feud.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 22, 2026, 7:25 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Legit.ng

Prosecution Withdraws Case Following Amicable Settlement

The Federal High Court in Abuja has officially ended the criminal proceedings against Nollywood actress Angela Okorie. During the court session on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, the prosecution counsel, Victor Okoye, informed Justice Emeka Nwite that the Inspector-General of Police had directed the withdrawal of all charges. The decision followed a successful out-of-court resolution between Okorie and her colleague, Mercy Johnson-Okojie. The application for withdrawal was made pursuant to Section 108 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, and with no opposition from the defense, Justice Nwite struck out the case and discharged the defendant.

Origins of the Defamation Dispute

The legal conflict began in earnest in 2025, escalating significantly in January 2026 when Okorie was arrested in Lagos and transferred to Abuja for arraignment. The police had filed a seven-count charge bordering on cyberstalking and criminal defamation. The allegations centered on social media posts across Instagram and TikTok, in which Okorie allegedly conspired with others to describe Mercy Johnson-Okojie as a "demon" and a "witch." These posts were deemed by the prosecution to be malicious efforts to incite public hatred and cause irreparable reputational damage to Johnson-Okojie, who is known for her humanitarian work and public image as a devout Christian.

Bail, Remand, and Public Apologies

Prior to the discharge, the case saw several dramatic turns. In late January 2026, Okorie was remanded at the Suleja Correctional Centre after pleading not guilty. She was eventually admitted to bail in the sum of ₦5 million with strict conditions, including the requirement of a level 13 civil servant as a surety. Upon her release, Okorie took to Instagram to issue a public apology to Mercy Johnson, admitting that her actions were influenced by "gossip and unfounded rumors." She expressed a desire for peace, noting that she wanted to move forward without further conflict for the sake of their future and their children.