Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki
A Magistrate Court sitting in Abakaliki has remanded a 52-year-old man, Chinagwo Paul Nweke, for allegedly cyberbullying a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Chinedu Ogah.
Hon. Ogah represents the Ikwo/Ezza South Federal Constituency of Ebonyi State.
Nweke’s remand followed his arraignment on a three-count charge filed by the Police on Tuesday.
According to court documents in suit number MAB/616c/2025, the defendant is accused of committing an offence punishable under Section 516A(a) of the Criminal Code, Cap. 33, Vol. 1, Laws of Ebonyi State of Nigeria, 2009.
The charge sheet reads in part: “That you, Chinagwo Paul Nweke ‘m’, and others now at large, sometime in October at Abakaliki, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did conspire among yourselves to commit a felony, to wit: an offence punishable under Section 516A(a) of the Criminal Code, Cap. 33, Vol. 1, Laws of Ebonyi State of Nigeria, 2009.
“That you, Chinagwo Paul Nweke ‘m’, and others now at large, did transmit a live broadcast via the Facebook account of one Amarachi Nweke ‘f’, with the intention to place Comrade Chinedu Ogah in fear of death, violence, and bodily harm, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 24(2)(a) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, as amended.
“That you, Chinagwo Paul Nweke ‘m’, on the same date and place, did intentionally transmit a live broadcast via the Facebook account of Amarachi Nweke ‘f’, which contained threats to harm the reputation of Comrade Chinedu Ogah, whom you accused of a crime in the said broadcast, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 24(2)(c) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, as amended.”
When the matter came up for hearing, counsel to the defendant, Cyprian Udu, applied for bail, but the Police prosecutor, Eberechukwu Obi, opposed the application.
In her ruling, Magistrate Sandra Onyibe declined jurisdiction over the matter and ordered that the case file be transferred to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for further advice. She further directed that the defendant be remanded in custody.
The case was adjourned to December 9, 2025, for further hearing.
Speaking to reporters, counsel to the complainant, Uchenna Collins Egba, said his client was determined to pursue the case to its logical conclusion.
“Well, it’s simply a matter of justice. If an allegation is made against a defendant, as in this case involving Chinagwo Paul Nweke, the police must do their job, investigate, and arraign the suspect, which they have now done.
“The court has rightly held that it lacks jurisdiction. Under the Cybercrimes Act, matters of this nature can only be tried by the High Court or the Federal High Court. The Magistrate Court is not empowered to entertain such offences.
“That is why the defendant was remanded. He has the right to apply for bail at the High Court, as bail is generally at the discretion of the court.”
Egba explained that the matter was adjourned for “report of compliance,” as the court had ordered that the case file be transmitted to the Attorney General’s Office for vetting.
“In line with the law, the matter will come up every two weeks for the Magistrate Court to ascertain whether the Attorney General has complied by reviewing the case file and determining the next step,” he added.
