A Magistrate Court in Abakaliki has arraigned and remanded 52-year-old Chinagwo Paul Nweke for cyberbullying and defamation against Rt. Hon. Chinedu Ogah, the Honourable member representing Ikwo/Ezza South Federal Constituency of Ebonyi State.
According to Charge Sheet No. MAB/616c/2025, Nweke is accused of committing offences punishable under Section 516A(a) of the Criminal Code, Cap 33, Vol. 1, Laws of Ebonyi State of Nigeria (2009), as well as Sections 24(2)(a) and 24(2)(c) of the Cyber Crimes (Prohibition, Prevention) Act 2015, as amended.
The charges allege that Nweke, along with others at large, conspired to commit a felony in October in Abakaliki, and transmitted a live broadcast via a Facebook account belonging to Amarachi Nweke.
The broadcast reportedly placed Comrade Chinedu Ogah in fear of death, violence, and bodily harm, and contained statements allegedly intended to harm his reputation.
When the matter came up for hearing, Magistrate Sandra Onyibe declined jurisdiction, stating that offences under the Cyber Crimes Act are triable only by the High Court or Federal High Court.
Consequently, the case file was ordered to be transferred to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for further advice.
Efforts by Cyprian Udu, counsel for the defendant, to secure bail were opposed by the prosecuting counsel, Ebere Chukwu. The court subsequently remanded Nweke in prison custody and adjourned the matter to December 9, 2025, for further hearing.
Speaking to newsmen, Uchenna Collins Egba, counsel for the complainant, emphasized that while the Magistrate Court lacked jurisdiction, the accused retains the right to appeal to the High Court for bail. Egba added that the police and prosecuting authorities are following due process in handling the case.
“The defendant should know that offences under the Cyber Crimes Act are not triable by the Magistrate Court. That is why he was remanded pending the review of the case file by the Honorable Attorney General’s office,” Egba said.
The court’s order ensures that the DPP will vet the case file before the next hearing, a step intended to comply with legal requirements and determine the appropriate course of action.
