By Chuks Eke
Justice Mohammed of the Federal High Court No. 2 sitting in Awka, Anambra state has adjourned a defamation charge against Awka-based businessman, Ikenna Ezeume to April 22, this year to enable him take his plea in a two-count charge preferred against him by the Inspector-General of Police,
The charge brought by the Inspector-General of Police, IGP is alleging that Ezeume made defamatory statements against one Barrister Jideofor Okongwu, a former Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Anaocha Branch.
The charge was fixed for mention sometime mid last year but could not be mentioned due to the absence of the defendant, Ezeume whose lawyer, A. C. Mogbo tendered a medical report on his behalf pleading that he was hospitalized and could not come to court as a result of ill health.
Justice Mohammed adjourned the matter to September 24, 2025 to enable him appear in court to take his plea. On September 24, a similar report of sickness was citedby his counsel as reason for his inability to show presence in court, hence the charge was again adjourned to February 5, this year for him to take his plea.
On February 5, the court did not sit as a result of some judicial activities and the charge was further Adjourned to April 22 for formal arraignment and plea.
In the charge No. FHC/AWK/107c/2025, dated May 7, 2025,:and signed by a police prosecution counsel, A. C. Obi from the Legal Department of the Anambra state Criminal Investigations Department, CID, Awka, the prosecution alleged that Ezeume published defamatory voice notes between February and March, 2025, via social media.
The prosecution alleged in count one that the defendant knowingly published a defamatory audio message on two WhatsApp forums – Peoples’ Forum and Enugwu Village Forum, claiming that the complaint, Barrister Okongwu gained admission into the Nigerian Law School through fraudulent means and was unqualified to practice law.
The prosecution contended that the statement was false and damaging to Okongwu’s reputation among members of the WhatsApp Forums and the general public and placed him in fear of potential physical attack.
The prosecution further alleged that count two involves similar allegations published on the defendants Facebook page. The prosecution also claimed that Ezeume falsely stated that Okongwu also fraudulently secured admission into Delta State University, thereby questioning the legitimacy of his legal qualifications, adding that these publications were knowingly false and injurious to Okongwu’s character.
The offence, the prosecution stated, are contrary to Sections 24(2)(a) of the Cybercrimes Prevention, etc (Act. 2015 as amended in 2024, which deals with the intentional transmission of false information that injures the reputation of others.
