Delta Prosecutors Admit to Having No Witnesses in Cyberstalking Trial Against Detained Child Rights Activist Aghogho

Prosecutors from the Delta State Ministry of Justice have admitted they lack witnesses in the cyberstalking case against detained child rights activist, Comrade Ighorhiohwunu Aghogho.

The admission came on Monday, June 16, before Justice H.A. Nganjiwa at the Federal High Court in Warri, during the resumed hearing of Federal Republic of Nigeria v. Ighorhiohwunu Aghogho (Charge No: FHC/WR/92C/2022).

When asked by the court, “Where are the witnesses in this case?” Deputy Director and State Counsel, Onojovwo Esq., responded, “My Lord, the Investigating Police Officer in this matter is dead, and all other witnesses are nowhere to be found.”

The accuracy of this claim remains unverified.

Aghogho, addressing the court directly, stated:
“My Lord, this case has been ongoing since October 10, 2022, without any meaningful progress. I previously alleged that the supposed witnesses were involved in child trafficking and illegal adoption rackets. When my allegations were dismissed by police as unsubstantiated, these cyberstalking charges were brought against me. It is surprising that the prosecution now claims they have no witnesses.”

At the last hearing on March 13, Aghogho pleaded not guilty to six cybercrime-related charges, which allege that he transmitted false information online between September 16, 2019, and June 29, 2020, targeting individuals including ex-Chief Justice of Nigeria Justice Mohammed Tanko, former Delta CP Ari Mohammed Ari, and others.

The prosecution claims the actions violated Section 24(b) of the Cybercrime Act, 2015.

Legal Challenge to Child Rights Law Amendment

Meanwhile, Aghogho has filed a case at the ECOWAS Court of Justice (Suit No: ECW/CCJ/APP/28/25) challenging the legality of the Delta State Child Rights (Amendment) Law, 2024, signed by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori on April 10. The amendment permits payment for child adoptions and has sparked legal and civil backlash.

Aghogho argues that the law retroactively legalises illegal adoptions and violates both Nigerian law and international treaties, including the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child.

He has called for:

• Annulment of the 2024 amendment

• Dismissal of Charge No: FHC/WR/92C/2022

• A multi-agency investigation into decades of alleged child trafficking

• Release of adoption records from the Delta State Police and Ministry of Women Affairs

• Forensic audits of adoption-related accounts at ECOBANK and Zenith Bank

• $100 million in damages for unlawful detention and rights violations

• Institutional safeguards for whistleblowers and child rights defenders

Controversial Bail Revocation and Media Backlash

Aghogho’s bail was recently revoked by Justice Nganjiwa, who accused him of publishing false information — a claim linked to a June 15 report by Daily Post Nigeria detailing court filings against the Delta Attorney-General.

The Delta chapter of the Take-It-Back (TIB) Movement condemned the revocation, calling it “state-sponsored persecution” and accusing Justice Nganjiwa and court officials of collusion and abuse of power.

They insist that Aghogho’s bail terms did not prohibit media engagement and that the court document cited in the Daily Post report is public under Nigerian law. The group is demanding Aghogho’s immediate release and prosecution of court officials allegedly involved in misconduct.