By Chuks Eke
A middle-aged businessman, Ikenna Ezeume has been arraigned before a Magistrate Court sitting in Awka, the Anambra state capital on two-count charge of publishing false information and defamatory matter in internet and other social media against one Barrister Jideofor Okongwu, Chairman emeritus of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Anaocha branch, one of the eight branches of NBA in Anambra state.
In the Charge No. MAW/336c/2025: Inspector-General of Police, IGP vs Ikenna Ezeume, the Prosecuting Police Officer, ASP Clement S. Iyah from the Directorate of Legal Services, Zone 13 Police Command, Ukpo, Anambra state alleged that the accused person had between March 1, through April 31, 2025 within the Awka South Magisterial District, did publish a defamatory statement in the internet and other social network such as WhatsApp that the nominal complainant, Barrister Okongwu forged his WAEC result with which he used to study law at Delta State University, DELSU, Abraka.
The prosecution stated that knowing same to be false, the accused person deliberately made the publication to injure the reputation of Barrister Okongwu as former Chairman of NBA, Anaocha branch by exposing him to hatred, contempt, ridicule and an act likely to damage him in his profession as a legal practitioner.
The prosecution further alleged that the accused person had on March 20, 2025 at Road 2, Plot 2A Green Ville Estate, Awka, intentionally gave information which he knew to be false to the Assistant Inspector-General, AIG of police, Zone 13 Zonal Headquarters, Ukpo through a written petition dated March 20, 2025 that Barrister Okongwu forged his academic certificate (WAEC) which he used to study law at DELSU with the intention of causing the AIG to direct one Sergeant Chijioke Alaefia of the Zone 13 Zonal CID, Ukpo to use and he actually used his lawful powers as a public servant to the injury of the said Barrister Okongwu, an action which he ought not to had taken if the true facts of the information were know to him.
The prosecution stated that the offences are punishable under Sections 325 and 154(1)(b) of the Criminal Code, Cap. 36, Vol. II, Revised Laws of Anambra state of Nigeria, 1991, as amended.
After the charges were read, the accused person pleaded not guilty to all the charges and the presiding Chief Magistrate of Court 1, C. O. Ezekwere granted him bail in the sum of N1 million with one surety in the like sum.
The police prosecution complained bitterly to the court that the accused person is still going ahead making the same injurious publications against the nominal complainant in the social media and asked the court to warn him or else the police would get him arrested if the ugly trend persists.
The defense counsel, D. I. C. Okeke, in his own reaction, also complained to the court that the nominal complainant has been going about calling the accused person an animal and a charlatan.
Chief Magistrate Ezekwere who binded both parties over to stop making further injurious publications in the social media or verbal attacks against each other, warned that henceforth, any defaulter would be liable to a fine of N5 million.
He therefore adjourned the matter to July 30, August 6 and 13, 2026 for hearing.
