Nollywood star Mercy Johnson-Okojie has issued a stern warning to online trolls and defamers, declaring that she is prepared to pursue legal action against anyone who spreads damaging falsehoods about her and her family. In an emotional video shared on her Instagram page, the actress revealed that persistent online attacks have spilled into her children’s lives, leading to bullying and social exclusion at school.

Johnson, one of Nigeria’s most recognisable screen personalities, said the lies being circulated about her have gone far beyond the usual celebrity gossip and now pose a direct threat to the emotional wellbeing of her children. According to her, some parents have allegedly instructed their children to avoid any contact with hers, based on unfounded claims that she is involved in witchcraft.

“Some people just won’t leave me and my family alone. I have teenagers who are in school, who have been bullied because of the things you write,” she said in the video, visibly pained by the impact of the rumours.

She recounted how her children have been treated differently by their peers as a result of the online narratives. “You have parents telling their kids not to let my kids touch their school bags because I’m a witch. What is wrong with you people? You just sit down, and you can’t wait to believe the worst of the worst,” she added.

The actress, known for her roles in dozens of Nollywood blockbusters, has long been a subject of intense public scrutiny, from her career choices to her personal life and marriage. However, she suggested that the current wave of attacks has crossed a line, particularly because it targets minors who have no control over the narratives being spun about their mother.

Johnson also addressed a recurring theme in online commentary about her: predictions and insinuations that her marriage is on the verge of collapse. Married to Prince Odianosen Okojie, with whom she has four children, the actress has often had to fend off rumours about her home. In the video, she pushed back strongly against those who appear fixated on seeing her relationship fail.

“There is no reason why you wake up every morning, you look at me and count the years for me and say we’re going to try and break this up. Because it’s something you just can’t break up,” she said, insisting that her marriage remains intact despite repeated attempts by detractors to sow discord through gossip and speculation.

Beyond expressing her frustration, Johnson made it clear that she is no longer willing to treat defamatory content as mere “online noise.” She revealed that she had already initiated legal proceedings against at least one individual but decided to drop that particular case out of respect for people she and her husband hold in high regard.

“I’m letting this girl go, I’m dropping my case with this girl out of respect for people my husband and I respect and love. This is off for now, but every other person who has alleged must prove. If you use your handle, your face to allege, you will prove,” she warned.

Her message was unambiguous: anyone who uses their platform, whether a personal account or a blog, to make serious allegations about her will be expected to substantiate those claims in court. She suggested that she has already documented several instances of defamation and is prepared to pursue them.

“So just be certain that I still have many more cases since you guys have chosen that is how you want my 2026 to be. Because I’m not going to allow my kids get bullied because of your lies,” she said, signalling a shift from tolerance to active legal resistance.

Johnson also took aim at the ecosystem that enables and amplifies online abuse. She accused some bloggers and anonymous social media accounts of deliberately spreading false stories about her, sometimes allegedly at the behest of industry colleagues or rivals.

“Actresses own these blogs, colleagues own these blogs… they can pay them to say whatever,” she alleged, hinting at a darker side of the entertainment industry where professional competition spills into orchestrated smear campaigns.

Her comments highlight a growing concern among public figures about the role of unregulated online platforms in shaping public perception. In Nigeria, as in many other countries, celebrities have increasingly found themselves battling misinformation, character assassination and cyberbullying, often without swift recourse.

Legal experts have repeatedly noted that defamation laws do apply to online content, but enforcement can be slow and complex. Johnson’s decision to publicly announce her intention to sue appears aimed not only at protecting her family but also at sending a broader message that there are consequences for weaponising social media against individuals.

In the video, the actress’s tone alternated between anger, hurt and resolve. While she condemned those who, in her view, have made a sport of attacking her, she also took a moment to acknowledge the fans and well-wishers who have reached out in support.

“Thank you to every single person who called… who showed concern. It means a lot,” she said, expressing gratitude to those who have stood by her amid the storm of online hostility.

She ended her address with a firm plea and a warning rolled into one: “Please leave my name out of your mouth.”

For many observers, Johnson’s outcry underscores the real-world consequences of digital harassment, especially when it targets families. Her revelation that her children are being bullied at school because of online rumours has sparked conversations about the responsibility of adults—both online and offline—to shield minors from the fallout of adult conflicts and gossip.

The actress’s stance may also embolden other public figures facing similar attacks to consider legal options rather than simply enduring the abuse. As social media continues to blur the lines between private and public life, Johnson’s case adds to the growing body of examples showing how virtual narratives can inflict tangible harm.

Whether her threat of legal action will curb the tide of defamatory content remains to be seen, but her message was clear: she is no longer willing to be a passive target, especially when her children are paying the price for rumours she insists are baseless.