Ex-spokesperson of Ebonyi PDP Nwoba remanded in prison over ‘defamatory’ publication

A Magistrate’s Court in Abakaliki has remanded Chika Nwoba, a former spokesperson of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Ebonyi, in the correctional centre for alleged defamation.

Nwoba, a social media handler, who appeared in court on Tuesday, is facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, false publication, and defamation.

The prosecutor, ASP Chinagorom Eze, told the court that the defendant was arrested on Sunday, February 11, 2024, following a petition by the Ebonyi State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mr Oguzor Offia-Nwali.

According to the prosecutor, Nwoba Chika and others now at large, on February 6 at Abakaliki, conspired to commit felony, to wit, “threat to life, publishing false information, and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 516(a) of the Criminal Code, Cap. 33 Vol. 1 Laws of Ebonyi State of Nigeria, 2009.”

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Mr C.N. Ufufu, counsel to Nwoba, put in a bail application, stating that the offences were bailable.

The prosecutor, however, opposed the bail application.

The magistrate, Mrs Lilian Ogodo, said the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the matter and referred it to the high court.

Ogodo adjourned the matter until March 1, 2024.

ANAELE ANTHONY CHUKWUEBUKA is a blogger,  the CEO, Owner and founder of "Pmnews.ng". He graduated from Imo State University where he studied Education History.