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.
“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.
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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