Ex-PDP Spokesperson, Nwoba Remanded In Prison Over Alleged Defamation

A former spokesperson of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ebonyi, Chika Nwoba, has been remanded in the Correctional centre by a Magistrate’s Court in Abakaliki.

The court appearance on Tuesday was in relation to three charges against Nwoba, which include conspiracy, false publication, and defamation.

During the court proceedings, ASP Chinagorom Eze, the Prosecutor, informed the court that the defendant was apprehended on Sunday, Feb. 11. The arrest was made following a petition filed by Mr Oguzor Offia-Nwali, the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry in Ebonyi State.

Charges against the politician read: “That you Nwoba Chika, ‘m’ and others now at large on February 6 at Abakaliki, within the Jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, did conspire amongst yourselves to commit felony to wit:

“Threat to Life, Publishing False Information and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 516 A (a) of the Criminal Code, Cap. 33 Vol. 1 Laws of the Ebonyi State of Nigeria, 2009.”

Mr C.N. Ufufu, the legal representative for Nwoba, submitted a bail application, asserting that the charges were eligible for bail.

In response, the prosecutor, Eze, objected to the bail application, emphasizing that the Supreme Court had previously determined that the Police officer did not require formal authorization to prosecute such cases.

Magistrate Mrs Lilian Ogodo declared that the court did not possess the authority to handle the matter and referred it to the high court.

Ogodo scheduled the next hearing for March 1, 2024.