Imo Journalist Granted ₦2m Bail After 30 Days in Custody Over Alleged Defamation of Governor’s Aide
Ejike Ogbonna, publisher of First Citizen Newspaper, has been granted bail by a Magistrate’s Court in Owerri after spending 30 days in detention at the Tiger Base Police Unit.
Ogbonna, who faces allegations of cybercrime against a government official, was granted bail in the sum of ₦2 million. The court also directed him to provide a surety with proof of landed property ownership within its jurisdiction and obtain the endorsement of a traditional ruler for the bail bond.
Presiding Magistrate C. J. Uzoechi ruled that the case is bailable and adjourned the matter to October 3, 2025, for hearing.
The journalist, who appeared in court in handcuffs, is facing a four-count charge of alleged cyberbullying, including claims of defaming the Special Adviser to the State Governor on Compliance, Chinasa Nwaneri, through a voice note circulated on social media.
His detention and trial have triggered outrage among journalists in Imo State, who described the development as an attack on press freedom. They also urged the state’s police commissioner to restrain officers from being used by government officials to intimidate citizens.
Source: SaharaReporters
#ImoState #PressFreedom #BreakingNews
Ejike Ogbonna, publisher of First Citizen Newspaper, has been granted bail by a Magistrate’s Court in Owerri after spending 30 days in detention at the Tiger Base Police Unit.
Ogbonna, who faces allegations of cybercrime against a government official, was granted bail in the sum of ₦2 million. The court also directed him to provide a surety with proof of landed property ownership within its jurisdiction and obtain the endorsement of a traditional ruler for the bail bond.
Presiding Magistrate C. J. Uzoechi ruled that the case is bailable and adjourned the matter to October 3, 2025, for hearing.
The journalist, who appeared in court in handcuffs, is facing a four-count charge of alleged cyberbullying, including claims of defaming the Special Adviser to the State Governor on Compliance, Chinasa Nwaneri, through a voice note circulated on social media.
His detention and trial have triggered outrage among journalists in Imo State, who described the development as an attack on press freedom. They also urged the state’s police commissioner to restrain officers from being used by government officials to intimidate citizens.
Source: SaharaReporters
#ImoState #PressFreedom #BreakingNews
Imo Journalist Granted ₦2m Bail After 30 Days in Custody Over Alleged Defamation of Governor’s Aide
Ejike Ogbonna, publisher of First Citizen Newspaper, has been granted bail by a Magistrate’s Court in Owerri after spending 30 days in detention at the Tiger Base Police Unit.
Ogbonna, who faces allegations of cybercrime against a government official, was granted bail in the sum of ₦2 million. The court also directed him to provide a surety with proof of landed property ownership within its jurisdiction and obtain the endorsement of a traditional ruler for the bail bond.
Presiding Magistrate C. J. Uzoechi ruled that the case is bailable and adjourned the matter to October 3, 2025, for hearing.
The journalist, who appeared in court in handcuffs, is facing a four-count charge of alleged cyberbullying, including claims of defaming the Special Adviser to the State Governor on Compliance, Chinasa Nwaneri, through a voice note circulated on social media.
His detention and trial have triggered outrage among journalists in Imo State, who described the development as an attack on press freedom. They also urged the state’s police commissioner to restrain officers from being used by government officials to intimidate citizens.
📌 Source: SaharaReporters
#ImoState #PressFreedom #BreakingNews
0 Commenti
·0 condivisioni
·931 Views
