Nkechinyere Ewa
A Magistrate Court in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, has ordered the remand of a 43-year-old lawyer, Igwe Nwalo Johnson, at a correctional centre over allegations of cyberbullying and defamation against Comrade Chinedu Ogah, the member representing Ikwo/Ezza South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.
The charges, filed under case number MAB/616C/2025 by the Commissioner of Police, allege that Johnson and unidentified accomplices conspired in October 2025 to commit criminal acts through cyberspace.
Prosecuting counsel, Barr. Eze Chinagorom Ndubuisi of the Police Directorate of Legal Services, told the court that Johnson conspired to commit cyberbullying, an offence contrary to Section 516A(a) of the Criminal Code, Cap 33 Vol. 1, Laws of Ebonyi State (2009).
He further alleged that the defendant aired a Facebook live broadcast via the account of one Amarachi Nweke, which allegedly placed Rep. Ogah in fear of death, violence and bodily harm, contrary to Section 24(2)(a) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition and Prevention) Act 2015 (as amended).
Johnson was also accused of publishing content intended to injure the lawmaker’s reputation by falsely accusing him of a crime, an offence under Section 24(2)(c) of the same Act.
Counsel to the defendant, Barr. Kelvin Nwafor, challenged the court’s jurisdiction and requested that the matter be transferred to the Federal High Court. He also applied for bail.
Ruling on the applications, Presiding Magistrate Sandra Oyibe noted the constitutional safeguards guiding remand proceedings and said that while the issue of bail could be revisited, the order of remand remained in force.
The court adjourned the matter to 22 December 2025 for further hearing. Bail was not granted.