Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki
The House of Representatives member for Ikwo/Ezza South Federal Constituency, Ebonyi State, in the Federal House of Representatives, Chinedu Ogah, has issued a formal demand to online media outfit, Sahara Reporters for the retraction of what he described as false, misleading, and defamatory online publications against his person.
Ogah, though his Lawyers, C. O. Ogboji, accused the outlet of publishing on April 16 and April 24, 2025, articles that have tarnished his reputation by linking him to a murder case.
He further alleged that the media outfit accused him wrongly of unlawfully detaining and activist Kindness Jonah in a “secret jail.”
The demand letter, dated May 7, 2025, references two Sahara Reporters publications.
The first article dated April 16, 2025: Titled “Nigerian Activist Detained Over Petition Against House of Reps Member Linked to Alleged Ritual Killing in Enugu, allegedly used Ogah’s picture and implicated him in the murder of Ukamaka Immaculata Ogboji.
But Mr Ogah claimed he was never involved in or questioned about the matter
Also, on April 24, 2025 the media outfit published another article Titled, “BREAKING: Nigerian Federal Lawmaker Chinedu Ogah Uses Cybercrime Act To Hold 66-Year-Old Activist In Secret Jail Over Facebook Posts.”
The said article reportedly featured Ogah’s picture alongside Jonah’s, claiming Ogah was responsible for Jonah’s detention without due process.
Ogah’s legal team in the letter argued that these publications are baseless and damaging, asserting that Sahara Reporters failed to verify the facts through investigative journalism before publishing.
The letter emphasized that Jonah, a 66-year-old activist, has been making defamatory online posts against Ogah, including labeling him an “ex-convict,” “murderer,” “ritualist,” and the mastermind behind Ogboji’s 2012 killing.
Mr Ogah maintained that the murder case was concluded in court without his involvement.
According to the letter, Jonah’s posts falsely accused Ogah of orchestrating the murder and claimed he directed individuals named Ebenezer Amaga and Obinna Nwuruku to commit the crime.
These allegations were reportedly disseminated across social media platforms and sent to the Minister of Justice, the Attorney General of the Federation, and the Chief Justice of Nigeria.
Ogah’s lawyer previously demanded that Jonah retract these statements, but Jonah allegedly continued the publications.
As a result, Ogah filed a formal complaint with the police, leading to Jonah’s arrest and prosecution for cyberstalking under Section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024.
The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/97/2025, is currently before the Federal High Court in Abuja, with an arraignment scheduled for May 21, 2025.
The Lawmaker disputed Sahara Reporters’ claim that he is holding Jonah in a “secret jail,” questioning whether he, as a lawmaker, has the authority to detain anyone.
The letter asserts that Jonah’s detention followed legal processes initiated by a police investigation into his alleged defamatory posts.
Ogah’s legal team argued that Sahara Reporters’ publications have caused significant reputational harm, prompting calls from constituents and the public shocked by the allegations.
The letter demanded that Sahara Reporters retracts the April 16 and April 24 articles within five working days from receipt of the notice, warning of legal action for defamation if the outlet fails to comply.
The solicitor described the publications as “false, misleading, and unsubstantiated,” urging the outlet to uphold journalistic integrity.
