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40-year-old Anambra business man arraigned for online defamation

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A 40-year-old businessman, Ikenna Ezeume, has been arraigned before a Magistrate Court 1 sitting in Amawbia, Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State for online defamation of a former Chairman of the Nigeria Bar Association, Aniocha Branch, Okongwu Jideofor.

The defendant, who is standing trial over allegations of cyberbullying and defamation, was arraigned by the police in the case titled Inspector General of Police v. Ikenna Ezeume with the charge sheet marked MAN/336/C.

According to the charge sheet obtained by our correspondent on Monday, the defendant is facing two counts, summarised as follows:

Count 1: “That you, Ikenna Ezeume, between the 1st day of March 2025 and the 31st day of April 2025, within the Awka South Magisterial District, did publish a defamatory matter on the Internet and other social media platforms such as WhatsApp, alleging that one Barrister Okongwu Jideofor (m), Chairman Emeritus of the Nigerian Bar Association, Aniocha Branch, forged his WAEC result, which he allegedly used to study law at the Delta State University.

“You thereby published a statement you knew to be false, intending to injure his reputation and expose him to hatred, contempt, and ridicule, contrary to and punishable under Section 325 of the Criminal Code, Cap. 36, Vol. II, Revised Laws of Anambra State of Nigeria, as amended.

Count II: “That you, Ikenna Ezeume (m), of Plot 2A, Green Ville Estate, Awka, on or about the 20th day of March 2025, within the Awka Magisterial District, did knowingly provide false information to the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 13 Headquarters, Ukpo, through a written petition dated 20th March 2025.

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“In the said petition, you falsely alleged that Barrister Okongwu Jideofor (m), Chairman Emeritus of the NBA, Aniocha Branch, forged his WAEC certificate used in obtaining his law degree from Delta State University, with the intent to cause the AIG to direct Sgt. Chidioke Alaeffia of the Zonal Criminal Investigation Department, Zone 13, Ukpo, to act upon the false information to the detriment of the said Barrister Jideofor.

“This act is contrary to and punishable under Section 154(1)(b) of the Criminal Code, Cap. 36, Vol. II, Revised Laws of Anambra State of Nigeria, 1991, as amended.”

However, the defendant pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge read to him in open court.

The counsel for the defendant, A.C. Nwogbo, applied orally for bail, urging the court to exercise its discretion in favour of his client.

However, the prosecution counsel, ASP Clement Iyah, opposed the bail application, arguing that the defendant had continued to make publications on social media concerning the matter while police investigations were ongoing.

He contended that releasing the accused on bail might enable him to continue making prejudicial or defamatory online statements.

In response, Nwogbo argued that his client was never invited for questioning by the Zone 13 Police Command and that the prosecution’s assertions were unfounded.

He further submitted that since the matter was now before the court, the magistrate had the authority to impose conditions restraining the defendant from further online publications related to the case.

After hearing both parties, the Magistrate, O.N. Ike, granted bail to the defendant in the sum of N1m with one suitable surety.

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The magistrate said, “The defendant is hereby cautioned against making any further publications on social media concerning the matter; any violation of this order could lead to his remand in custody”.

The matter was adjourned to a later date for continuation of the hearing.

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Communal clash: 7 women k!lled during protest in Adamawa (PHOTOS)

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Seven women d!ed while 11 others were injured during a protest in Lamurde Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

According to Daily Trust, the women were protesting what they termed delayed response by the military to calm tensions between Bachama and Chobo communities of the LGA, when the incident occurred on Monday, December 8, 2025.

The women, who were seen holding leaves blocked the movement of troops into the area, accusing security agencies of delayed responses and biased interventions in favour of the Chobo community.

However, during the confrontation, sources said the military allegedly fired shots into the crowd and four of the women d!ed on the spot, while three others d!ed in the hospital. It was further learnt that 11 others, who were injured are currently receiving treatment.

“They came out peacefully, carrying leaves, begging for security, instead, they were met with live gunfire.

“The wounded were rushed to Numan General Hospital, where medical officials say some remain in critical condition,” District Head of Gyawana, a community in Lamurde LGA, Chief Agoso Bamaiyi, said.

Meanwhile, Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri has imposed a 24-hour curfew on Lamurde Local Government Area, following the incident.

The directive was announced on Monday in a statement issued by the Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor, Hussaini Hammangabdo, who confirmed that the governor has instructed security operatives to immediately move into the troubled communities

The statement said Fintiri had ordered security agencies to respond swiftly to the renewed crisis to re-establish stability and prevent further breakdown of law and order.

See also  Lagos court grants activist Scott Iguma N10m bail over alleged cybercrime

The Adamawa State Government has imposed a 24-hour curfew on Lamurde Local Government Area with immediate effect following a renewed communal clash that broke out on Sunday evening,” the statement read.

Hammangabdo said security agencies have been directed to move into the area and restore peace and order without delay.

The state government also appealed to residents of Lamurde to remain peaceful and cooperate with the deployed personnel as efforts intensify to contain the situation and avert additional violence.

The fresh violence erupted barely days after Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri brokered a fragile peace deal between the warring Chobo and Bachama groups, according to Dr. Jamila Suleiman, Executive Vice Chairperson of the Adamawa State Peace Commission

When contacted on phone, the police spokesman, Adamawa State Command, S.P. Suleiman Nguroje, confirmed that some people lost their lives and that the injured were taken to a hospital for treatmen

“Actually lives were lost. But for now, we cannot give the total number of people that lost their lives but the injured have been taken to a hospital for treatment,” he said.

Nguroje said that based on the reports he received in the morning, the incident centered within Rugange and neighbouring villages, down to Wadugo

Asked on the cause of the incident, the spokesman said police had been drafted to the area to investigate the root cause, so he will not pre-empt their finding

“I plead that we should give them the opportunity to come out with their findings on what must have triggered the conflict so as to make it known to the members of the public,” he added.

See also  PHOTOS: 44-year-old man arrested for disguising as woman to record women inside gym bathrooms

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PHOTOS: NSCDC intercepts truck conveying 21 children in Kogi, arrests suspected traffickers

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The Kogi State Government has said security operatives have intercepted a group of underage children trafficked into the state in what is suspected to be a covert recruitment attempt for banditry training.

The State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Kingsley Fanwo, who disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, December 9, 2025 said some suspects linked to the trafficking operation were arrested.

“At about 1500hrs on December 5, 2025, eagle-eyed security operatives of the National Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Yagba Area Command, in collaboration with other security agencies in Isanlu, acting on credible intelligence from community hunters, intercepted a truck conveying 21 children aged between six and 17 years into Kogi State,” the commissioner stated.

He said initial investigations revealed that the children were moved from different northern states under suspicious circumstances by adults who could not provide legitimate justification for their movement.

“Several suspects linked to the trafficking operation have been arrested, including individuals who claimed they were transporting the children to establish an informal ‘Islamic school’ within Yagba East,” he said.

Fanwo added that further arrests were made as security operatives intensified surveillance in the area, uncovering additional persons allegedly connected to the movement of the minors.

“Some of the suspects were also found with items raising significant security concerns,” he said, adding that the rescued children had been transferred to the NSCDC State Command in Lokoja for detailed investigation and proper profiling of all persons involved.

He said Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo had directed the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development to take full custody of the underage victims, ensure their wellbeing and provide necessary psychosocial support pending the conclusion of investigations.

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“Upon completion of profiling and verification, the children will be handed over to their respective state governments for further investigation and eventual reintegration with their families,” he noted.

The commissioner, however, said all individuals found culpable in the trafficking operation would be prosecuted in line with Kogi State’s child trafficking and child rights protection laws.

“The Kogi State Government reiterates its uncompromising stance against child trafficking, criminal infiltration and any form of security threat.

“The administration of Governor Ododo will continue to work closely with security agencies and local communities to safeguard every part of the state,” he added.

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US police arrest Santa Claus over child sexual abuse material

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A 64-year-old man who worked as a “Santa for hire” in New Jersey, United States, has been arrested after authorities accused him of possessing and distributing child sexual abuse material, raising concerns over his repeated interactions with children during holiday events.

As reported by Daily Star on Tuesday, Mark Paulino, of Hamilton Township, was taken into custody on Monday and charged with possession and distribution of child sexual abuse materials, as well as endangering the welfare of a child.

According to Mercer County officials, the investigation began on 4 December 2025, when detectives were alerted to suspicious activity involving the alleged uploading of child pornography from a Hamilton Township residence.

The probe quickly identified Paulino, who had previously worked as a retired elementary school teacher, as the person involved.

Police said Paulino had presented himself online as a retired teacher and had recently performed as Santa Claus for photographs and private, corporate, and organisational events, a role that brought him into repeated contact with children.

“Because this role involved direct, repeated contact with children, detectives worked around the clock to secure a search warrant,” authorities said.

The warrant was executed on 5 December, during which police seized multiple items of evidentiary value, and Paulino was arrested without incident.

Prosecutors have since filed a motion to detain him pending trial, and the investigation is ongoing. Authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward.

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