The three counts between the Inspector General of Police as the Complainant and Chizorom Harrison Ofoegbu as Defendant borders on conspiracy, criminal defamation, cybercrime and threats to life.
The Nigeria Police Force has filed an amended three-count criminal charge against social media influencer Chizorom Harrison Ofoegbu, popularly known as Ijele before a Federal High Court in Lagos State.
The three counts between the Inspector General of Police as the Complainant and Chizorom Harrison Ofoegbu as Defendant borders on conspiracy, criminal defamation, cybercrime and threats to life.
In the charge numbered FHCA/3210/24, the police said the offences violate sections 24(1)(a)(b), (2)(a)(b); 27(1)(a) of Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention) Act 2015 and sections 373 and 374 of the Criminal Code Act, Punishable under section 375 of the Criminal Code Act.
SaharaReporters reported on April 18 that a magistrate court in Abuja had struck out the case bordering on criminal intimidation, threat to life, cyberstalking, and cyberbullying filed against social media influencer, Ijele.
The Chief Magistrate, Emmanuel Iyanna, while ruling on the bail application filed through his lawyer, struck out the case for lack of jurisdiction.
The judge also ordered the police to arraign the blogger before a competent court of law to enable the defendant to take his plea in line with the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice (ACJA) 2015.
Delivering his ruling on the bail application, Iyana ruled that the defendant be arraigned before the Federal High Court where the prosecution claimed to have filed charges against him.
He added that there was no charge before his court against the blogger and that his court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the case.
SaharaReporters also reported on May 16, that Federal Capital Territory Judicial Service Commission had been petitioned to sanction and dismiss Chief Magistrate Emmanuel Iyanna for allegedly colluding with some officers of the Nigeria Police Force to unlawfully keep Ijele in detention without trial.
The petition was addressed to the Chairman of FCT Judicial Service Commission and copied to the Chief Justice of the Federation, Chief Judge, High Court of the Federal Capital Territory and Chief Magistrate Emmanuel lyana himself dated May 16, by Chimara Loveday Ofoegbu on behalf of his brother, who is in detention.
However, the amended charge sighted by SaharaReporters on Monday, which was filed on May 13, 2024, accused Ijele of using his social media handle ‘The King of the game’ to make vexatious and obnoxious publications against the person of Evang. Ebuka Obi, the spiritual director of Zion Movement Outreach Ministry 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".
The amended counts read: "COUNT 1: 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 publication against the person of Evang. Ebuka Obi the spiritual director of Zion Movement Outreach Ministry situated 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.
"COUNT 2: 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: Cyberstalking, when you Chizorom Harrison Ofoegbu and others now at large criminally used your social media handle "The King of the game" made vexatious and a obnoxious online publication against the person of Evang. Ebuka Obi the spiritual director of Zion Movement Outreach Ministry situated 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 other members of his Ministry which attracted several views from third parties with 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 there committed an offence contrary to section 24(1)(a)(b) and (2)(a)(b) Cybercrime (Prohibitions, Prevention) Act 2015.
"COUNT 3: 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 publication against the person of Evang. Ebuka Obi the spiritual director of Zion Movement Outreach Ministry situated 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."
The charge was signed by one DSP Peter Ejike and Inspector Edwin Aituazobe Inegbenoise for Nigeria Police Force Legal Department in Abuja.