The Nollywood world is once again rocked by a major conflict between two of its iconic figures: Angela Okorie and Mercy Johnson. What started as a public spat on social media has escalated into a dramatic legal battle in January 2026, with Angela Okorie’s arrest and detention on charges of cyberbullying and defamation targeting Mercy Johnson.
The Origins of the Conflict
The feud between the two actresses dates back several years but intensified in 2025. In June 2025, Angela Okorie went live on Instagram and made serious accusations against Mercy Johnson, calling her a “blood-sucking demon,” alleging involvement in harmful spiritual practices, and claiming Mercy was suffering from a serious illness due to spiritual wrongdoing. Angela also implicated Mercy Johnson’s mother in witchcraft allegations.
The statements sparked widespread outrage online. Weeks later, in July 2025, Angela Okorie issued public apologies, saying she had “forgiven” Mercy Johnson after learning she was “seriously ill” and extending apologies to others indirectly involved.
Despite the apologies, Mercy Johnson, through her lawyer, filed a formal complaint for cyberbullying, intimidation, and defamation. Sources date the petition to May or July 2025.
The Arrest and Legal Proceedings
On January 28, 2026, Angela Okorie was arrested at her Lagos home by officers from the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre. She spent the night in detention before being flown to Abuja the following morning. At the Federal High Court in Abuja, she pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit cyberbullying and defamation.
The judge ordered her remanded at the Suleja Correctional Centre in Niger State pending a bail hearing (originally scheduled for January 30, 2026, though latest reports confirm remand as of January 29). Some sources cite her failure to respond to an earlier police invitation and an unreachable previous surety as factors in the bail decision.
Angela Okorie’s team has contested the ruling, insisting she never defamed or harassed Mercy Johnson, honoured a mutual agreement, and issued public apologies. They maintain her innocence and have criticised the process.
Reactions in the Industry and Online
The case has divided Nollywood and social media users. Some side with Mercy Johnson, viewing her actions as a necessary defence of her reputation against repeated attacks. Others argue that criminal proceedings are inappropriate for what they see as a civil matter (defamation is often handled civilly in Nigeria).
Actress Doris Ogala, who initially supported Mercy, later called for leniency. Producers such as Stanley Ontop have condemned what they describe as potential “abuse of power” and demanded Angela’s release.
Mercy Johnson has not commented publicly on the latest developments, though earlier in 2026 she stated she would no longer tolerate cyberbullying directed at her family.
A Case to Follow
As of January 29, 2026, Angela Okorie remains in detention. This high-profile “war” between two Nollywood stars underscores the volatile tensions social media can ignite in Nigeria’s film industry, where private disputes rapidly turn public—and sometimes judicial.
The outcome of this case could set precedents for how celebrities navigate online conflicts moving forward. To be continued…
En savoir plus sur Gnatepe
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
