A 40-year-old businessman, Ikenna Ezeume, has been arraigned before a Magistrate Court in Amawbia, Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State, over alleged online defamation and cyberbullying of a former Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Aniocha Branch, Barrister Okongwu Jideofor.
Ezeume, who was arraigned on a two-count charge in a case titled Inspector General of Police v. Ikenna Ezeume (Charge No. MAN/336/C), pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to him in open court.
According to the charge sheet obtained by PUNCH Metro on Monday, the defendant allegedly published false and defamatory statements between March 1 and April 31, 2025, accusing Jideofor of forging his West African Examinations Council (WAEC) certificate, which he purportedly used to gain admission into the Delta State University to study law.
The police said the publication was intended to damage the lawyer’s reputation and expose him to public ridicule, in violation of Section 325 of the Criminal Code, Cap. 36, Vol. II, Revised Laws of Anambra State, as amended.
The second count accused Ezeume of providing false information to the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 13, Ukpo, through a petition dated March 20, 2025, with the aim of misleading officers into taking action against Jideofor.
The alleged offence contravenes Section 154(1)(b) of the Criminal Code of the state.
Counsel to the defendant, A.C. Nwogbo, applied orally for bail, urging the court to exercise its discretion in favour of his client.
However, the prosecuting counsel, ASP Clement Iyah, opposed the application, arguing that the defendant had continued to publish defamatory content on social media even after the police commenced investigations.
Iyah told the court that granting bail could enable the defendant to persist in making prejudicial statements about the matter online.
In his response, Nwogbo dismissed the prosecution’s claims, noting that his client had not been invited for questioning by Zone 13 Police Command and that the case was now under the court’s jurisdiction.
Delivering her ruling, the presiding Magistrate, O.N. Ike, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N1 million with one surety in like sum.
The magistrate also cautioned Ezeume against making any further social media posts concerning the matter, warning that any breach of the order could result in his remand.
The case was adjourned to a later date for continuation of hearing.