It was learnt that the rearrest was not based on any fresh criminal allegation but was connected to what the police described as a “debt-related issue.”
Popular Nollywood actress and singer, Angela Okorie, has been released from the custody of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command following a controversial rearrest linked to an alleged debt dispute, SaharaReporters has learned.
Okorie was initially released from Suleja Correctional Centre on Tuesday after meeting her bail conditions in a defamation case. However, moments after her release, she was rearrested by police operatives and taken to the FCT Police Command in Abuja.
It was learnt that the rearrest was not based on any fresh criminal allegation but was connected to what the police described as a “debt-related issue.”
“She was initially rearrested after she was freed from prison in Suleja; however, a police contingent rearrested her over ‘debt issues’ and brought her back to the FCT command for detention,” a source told SaharaReporters.
The rearrest reportedly stemmed from a dispute over legal fees. In a video shared on Instagram, actress Doris Ogala alleged that Okorie was rearrested following a complaint by an unnamed Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) over an unpaid N5 million fee for legal services rendered in securing her bail.
According to Ogala, the SAN was engaged through a third party during Okorie’s detention. Trouble reportedly started when Okorie allegedly disclaimed responsibility for the arrangement and refused to pay the agreed fee, despite claims that the intermediary had already made a deposit.
Following interventions by Okorie’s legal team, the Commissioner of Police in charge of the FCT Command reportedly ordered her release.
SaharaReporters gathered that Okorie was released from detention and handed over to her lawyer, Marshal Abubakar.
“They have released Angela Okorie from the FCT Police Command. The Commissioner of Police ordered that she be released to me,” Abubakar confirmed to SaharaReporters.