The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the remand of a man, Perela Osia, in Kuje Correctional Centre for allegedly accusing a businessman, Chief Ekomieyefa Uduboh, of killing and kidnapping in Oporoza Community in Delta.
Justice Salim Ibrahim, in a short ruling, ordered Osia to be in custody pending when his bail application is filed, heard and determined.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Inspector-General (I-G) of Police had names Osia, a.k.a Daniel Ezekiel, and Yemi Otuedon, a.k.a Otuedon Warri, who is said to be at large, as 1st and 2nd defendants.
I-G, in the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/631/2027, preferred four counts against the duo which bordered on cybercrime offences.
When case was called, Joy Ejime-Irabie, who appeared for the police, said the matter was fixed for the defendant’s arraignment.
But Osia’s lawyer told the court that he only got information about the arraignment at about 7pm on Tuesday.
The lawyer said he was already filing necessary processes, including a bail application and a motion challenging the jurisdiction of the court.
But the judge said the defence motion challenging the court jurisdiction could be taken after arraignment.
Although the defence lawyer applied for the permission of the court to move an oral bail application, the prosecuting lawyer disagreed.
She argued that the FHC, being a court of record, the defence lawyer should file a formal bail application.
After the prosecution applied that the charge be read to Osia for him to take his plea, his lawyer did not oppose.
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the four counts after the charge was read to him.
Ejime-Irabie, therefore, applied that Osia be remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre and sought a trial date.
Justice Ibrahim, who ordered that Osia be remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre, adjourned the case until Oct. 28 for trial.
Justice Ibrahim also ordered that the defendant be given an unrestricted access to his counsel and be given adequate medical attention.
The judge, however, hinted that the defendant’s bail application can be heard as soon as the attention of the court is called to the motion.
In count count one the defendants were alleged to have conspired with each other to commit the offence of cyberstalking against Chief Uduboh (a.k.a. KFT) contrary to Section 27(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act 2015 ( as amended) and punishable under Section 24(1) of the same Act.
In count two, police alleged that Osia of Sara Guest Inn, Kado, Abuja knowingly transmitted in the form of a post through computer system or network on his Facebook accourt registered in his name, “Osia Perela Ezekiel” a defamatory message.
He was alleged to have stated that “… Him, KFT, Tare Pondi, Kari Ebipade and Super Ebilade will not only give account of their killing, kidnapping, abducting, torturing activities being perpetrated via private prison in Oporoza community, Gbaramatu kingdom, Warri South West, Delta State…”
The statement, the police said, referred to “one Chief Ekomieyefa Uduboh (a.k.a. KFT) and others as those behind the atrocities committed in Niger Delta, knowing same to be false, for the purpose of causing a breakdown of law and order, and posing a threat to life of the said Chief Ekomieyefa Uduboh.”
The offence is said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 24 (1) (b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act 2015 ( as amended) 2024, among other counts.
