Nollywood actress Mercy Johnson-Okojie has dropped defamation charges against TikTok content creator Eedie Bliss, leading to the latter’s release from police custody on Saturday, January 17, 2026. The development follows days of intense public debate and widespread criticism over the handling of the case, which many Nigerians viewed as heavy-handed and unnecessary. 

The controversy began in December 2025 when Eedie Bliss posted a video on TikTok alleging that Mercy Johnson’s husband, Prince Henry Okojie, had recently bought a mansion for another woman supposedly pregnant for him. In the same clip, the content creator further claimed that Mercy Johnson was involved in a plot linked to the woman’s house help that resulted in a miscarriage. The controversial video quickly went viral, drawing attention from social media users and sparking heated debate online about its veracity and potential harm. 

Following the spread of these allegations, Eedie Bliss was reportedly arrested in Abuja after a petition was filed by the actress’s husband. The content creator was detained for several days, a move that many said was surprising given the nature of the claims. Critics noted that such allegations are often treated as civil matters handled through defamation lawsuits in court rather than through police detention. 

Public Outcry and VeryDarkMan’s Reaction

The TikToker’s arrest sparked widespread backlash on social media, with many Nigerians questioning why law enforcement was involved in what seemed like a dispute over comments made online. A notable voice in the uproar was popular social media critic VeryDarkMan (Martins Vincent Otse), who publicly criticised Mercy Johnson and her husband for what he described as “oppression” and an inappropriate use of police authority. He argued that defamation disputes should be resolved in the civil courts rather than through criminal detention. 

VeryDarkMan went further by issuing a public ultimatum to Mercy Johnson, demanding the immediate release of Eedie Bliss, whom he noted was scheduled to get married soon. He also drew attention to perceived inconsistency in Mercy Johnson’s stance by comparing the matter to a previous case involving the arrest of another individual over defamation. 

As criticism intensified on platforms like X and Instagram, many social media users echoed the sentiment that the response had been disproportionate. Supporters of Eedie Bliss argued that holding her in custody could set a problematic precedent for content creators and amplify fears of using the legal system to silence online commentary. Others emphasised the importance of verifying rumours before sharing them to avoid defamation and reputational harm. 

After days of mounting pressure, Mercy Johnson reportedly decided to withdraw all charges, a decision that led to Eedie Bliss regaining her freedom. Social media critic VeryDarkMan confirmed the development on his platform, expressing gratitude to the actress for dropping the case and calling on Nigerians to cease harassment directed at her and her family. He wrote, “@MercyJohnsonOkojie, thank you very much, my GREATEST OF ALL TIME, for dropping the case… the bullying is too much… leave her family alone.” 

Reactions to the news of the dropped charges were mixed. Some Nigerians praised Mercy Johnson for listening to public sentiment and choosing to de-escalate the situation rather than pursue it through law enforcement. Others raised questions about the original decision to involve the police, expressing concerns about how similar disputes should be managed in the age of social media.

Legal analysts who commented on the episode noted that defamation is typically a matter for civil litigation, where damages are pursued through the courts rather than through detention. They said the controversy highlights broader issues around freedom of expression, the responsibilities of content creators, and how public figures protect their reputations online. 

While Eedie Bliss has not yet issued a detailed public statement since her release, the incident has sparked renewed conversation about the boundaries of online commentary and the appropriate legal mechanisms for addressing alleged defamation. Mercy Johnson and her husband have also not released a formal public response explaining their reasons for dropping the charges, leaving some questions unanswered as the story continues to trend on social media.