…trial begins March 23

Detained actress, Angela Okorie, got a reprieve on Friday as a Federal High Court in Abuja granted her bail at N5million and a surety in the same amount.

Justice Emeka Nwite had on January 28 ordered her remand to Suleja prison in Niger State following her arraignment on charges of criminal defamation and cyberstalking.

On Friday, while ruling on Okorie’s bail application, Justice Nwite held that although the prosecution opposed her request for bail, there was no concrete evidence before the court to show that she would jump bail if granted.

The judge said, “Therefore, I am minded to grant the bail in the interest of justice,” adding that bail is at the discretion of the court, which must be exercised judicially and judiciously.

Justice Nwite ordered that the defendant’s sole surety must be a level 13 civil servant, who must depose to an affidavit of means

He said the surety must produce his appointment letter and the letter of the last promotion.

The judge ordered Okorie and her surety to submit two passport photographs to the court registrar, and that the residence of the surety must be verified by the registrar.

Justice Nwite, who adjourned the matter until March 23 for trial, ordered Okorie to be further remanded in Suleja prison pending her compliance with the bail conditions.

At the commencement of proceedings on Friday, prosecuting lawyer, Victor Okoye, informed the court about a seven-count amended charge filed by the prosecution and applied that the defendant’s plea be taken in relation to the amended charge.

Justice Nwite granted Okoye’s application, following which Okorie was re-arraigned on the seven-count amended charge.

She pleaded not guilty, following which Okoye applied for a date for the prosecution to open its case.