By Chuks Eke
Anambra State Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Awka, the state capital, presided over by His Worship, C. O. Ezekwere has adjourned a defamatory charge to November 12, this year for hearing in a two count charge of publishing false information and defamatory matter in internet and other social media preferred against a middle- aged businessman, Ikenna Ezeume.
Ezeume who had earlier been granted bail in the sum of N1 million with one surety in the like sum, is standing trial for allegedly making the publications against one Barrister Jideofor Okongwu, a one-time Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Anaocha branch, one of the eight branches of NBA in the state.
The case was earlier slated for hearing on July 30, August 6 and 13 but on July 30, counsel to the accused person, D. I. C. Okeke tendered a medical report from a hospital showing that his client was not physically fit to be in court on that day for the trial but the presiding Chief Magistrate, Ezekwere warned that the court would no longer tolerate unnecessary adjournments, adding that the court would go on with the matter on the next adjourned date which was August 6, whether the accused person is in court or not.
However, on August 6, both parties were in court but due to numerous cases already pending before the court, the Chief Magistrate at a stage, ordered both parties to take a date in November and they agreed on November 12 for definite hearing of the matter.
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 his lawful powers which he actually used 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, Ezekwere granted him bail in the sum of N1 million with one surety in the like sum.
Shortly after the bail condition was pronounced by the court, 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.
