By Jude-Ken Ojinnaka
A blogger, Chizorom Harrison Ofoegbu, alleged to have used his social media handle named “The King of the game”
to accuse Evangelist Ebuka Obi, the Spiritual director of Zion Movement Outreach Ministry, Lagos, of performing fake miracles, was on Wednesday arraigned by the Police before a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos.
After the arraignment of Chizorom Harrison Ofoegbu , the presiding judge, Justice Akintayo Aluko, ordered the remand of the blogger, after he pleaded not guilty to the three counts charge of conspiracy, cyber stalking and publishing a vexatious and obnoxious information against the person of Evang. Ebuka Obi.
At the arraignment of the blogger on Wednesday, Peter Ajike Esq, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) appeared for the prosecution, while Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), appeared for the defendant.
The prosecutor informed the court that he has a pending charge against the blogger. and that he is replacing the charge with an amended charge dated April 15, 2024.
However, the blogger’s Counsel Mr. Falana (SAN) objected to the amended charge on the ground that he had not been served, but upon being served with the amended charge, he withdrew his objection after which the three counts amended charge was read to the defendant.
Upon the reading the charge, the defendant pleaded not guilty.
Based on his not guilty plea, his counsel, Mr Femi Falana (SAN), applied for the defendant’s bail orally.
Applying for the bail, Falana (SAN), informed the court that it was based on the withdrawal of the former charge by the prosecutor. He also cited the Court of Appeal decision, between Abiola and Federal Republic of Nigeria, delivered by Justice Abdulahi (JCA)
He therefore urged the court to use his discretion in granting his oral application for bail.
But the prosecutor, DSP Ajike, urged the court to discountenance the oral application for bail, submitting that the court is a court of record.
Ajike also urged the court to remand the defendant in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCoS) till when Chizorom Harrison Ofoegbu’s bail application is filed and determined.
Ruling on the bail application, Justice Aluko, held that every case have their own peculiarity, and that the charge against the defendant has its own peculiarity.
Consequently, Justice Aluko ordered that a formal bail application be filed.
On Falana’s request for the remand of the defendant in the custody of the prosecution pending the hearing and determination of his bail application,
the prosecutor opposed the application, and urged the court to remand the defendant in the NCoS’ custody.
In his short bench ruling, Justice Aluko acceded to the prosecutor’s submission, and ordered that the defendant be remanded at the custody of the NCoS pending the hearing and determination of his bail on May 30.
The three counts amended charge preferred against the blogger reads:
“That you Chizorom Harrison Ofoegbu ‘M’ sometime in February 2024 at Oshodi Lagos State within the Jurisdiction of this Honorable Court did commit an illegal act to wit: Conspiracy, when you Chizorom Harrison Ofoegbu and others now at large Criminally conspired within yourselves, used your social media handle “The King of the game” knowing same to be false made a vexatious and obnoxious online publications against the person of Evang. Ebuka Obi the spiritual director of Zion Movement Outreach Ministry situate in Lagos purporting him to be performing fake, arranged miracles and deceiving members of the Public which attracted several views from third parties with the intention to cause hatred and damage to the reputation of Evang. Ebuka Obi and his Ministry before the right thinking members of the Public and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 27(1)(a) of Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention) Act 2015.
“That you Chizorom Harrison Ofoegbu ‘M’ sometime in February 2024 at Oshodi Lagos State within the Jurisdiction of this Honorable Court did commit an illegal act to wit: Cyber stalking, when you Chizorom Harrison Ofoegbu and others now at large Criminally used your social media handle “The King of the game” made a vexatious and obnoxious online publications against the person of Evang. Ebuka Obi the spiritual director of Zion Movement Outreach Ministry situate in Lagos purporting him to be performing fake and arranged miracles and deceiving members of the Public as well as put Evang. Ebuka Obi to fear of death and any members of his Ministry which attracted several views from third parties with the intention to cause hatred and damage the reputation of Evang. Ebuka Obi and his Ministry before the right thinking members of the Public and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 24(1){a)(b) and (2)({a)(b)Cybercrimes (Prohibitions, Prevention) Act 2015.
“That you Chizorom Harrison Ofoegbu ‘M’ sometime in February 2024 at Oshodi Lagos State within the Jurisdiction of this Honorable Court did commit an illegal act to wit: Defamation , when you Chizorom Harrison Ofoegbu and others now at large Criminally used your social media handle “The King of the game” made a vexatious and obnoxious publications against the person of Evang. Ebuka Obi the spiritual director of Zion Movement Outreach Ministry situate in Lagos with the intent to annoy, exposing him to hatred. contempt and ridicule him by purporting him to be performing fake and arranged miracles and deceiving members of the Public which attracted several views from third parties and by so doing. you have criminally disparage, lower his estimation and damage the reputation of Evang. Ebuka Obi and his Ministry before the right thinking members of the Public and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Sections 373 and 374 of the Criminal Code Act, Punishable under Section 375 of the Criminal Code Act.”