A Magistrate Court in Awka, Anambra State, has granted bail to a civil servant, Mr. Ikenna Ezeume, who is facing charges of cyberbullying and defamation.
The case, Inspector General of Police v. Ikenna Ezeume (MAN/336/C), came up before Senior Magistrate O. N. Ike. Mr. Ezeume pleaded not guilty to the two charges read against him.
His lawyer, A. C. Nwogbo, asked the court to grant him bail, saying his client would comply with all court conditions. But the prosecuting counsel, Barrister Okongwu Jideofor, opposed the request.
He claimed that Ezeume had continued to post about the case on social media while police investigations were still ongoing, and releasing him could lead to more damaging publications.
In reply, Mr. Nwogbo argued that his client was never invited for questioning by the police and that the allegations against him were baseless.
No further social media posts
After listening to both sides, Magistrate Ike granted bail to the defendant in the sum of ₦1 million, with one reliable surety.
She warned Mr. Ezeume not to make any more social media posts about the case, saying that doing so could lead to his detention.
According to the charge sheet, Ezeume is accused of publishing false and damaging information about Barrister Jideofor, a former chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Aniocha Branch.
The prosecution claims Ezeume posted online that Jideofor forged his WAEC result, which he allegedly used to study law at Delta State University — a claim they say is false and meant to damage Jideofor’s reputation.
He is also accused of submitting a false petition to the police at Zone 13 Headquarters in Ukpo, repeating the same allegation, with the intent to mislead police officers into acting on it.
During the court session, Mr. Ezeume complained that the complainant, Barrister Jideofor, was secretly recording him while he was in the dock, an allegation Jideofor denied.
The magistrate ruled that if any photo or video of Ezeume in court appeared online, Jideofor would be held responsible for contempt of court.
The case was adjourned to November 17 for further hearing.
