Court Schedules Hearing for Objection in IGP’s Defamation Case

The Federal High Court in Awka, Anambra State, has set February 11, 2025, to hear a preliminary objection raised by defense counsel Fredrick Okpe in the defamation case filed by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) against eight members of the Umuona community in Aguata Local Government Area. At the beginning of the case, the defense contested the court’s jurisdiction, arguing that the matter was already being heard at the Anambra State High Court in Onitsha. Police prosecution counsel G.T. Nev Esq. and Ifeanyi Egbuna Esq. urged the court to reject the objection. The court has now scheduled February 11 for further proceedings. The defendants, including Kenneth Okoli (67), President-General of Umuona, Ernest Onyejekwe (69), Dr. Anthony Okoli (70), Godfrey Ezeabalim (75), Chukwudi Obiora (40), Obiakor Gilbert (67), Bartholomew Udemba (60), and HRH Igwe Iyke S. C. Ezeofor (61), face charges under the Cybercrime Act 2021 and the Criminal Code. They are accused of conspiracy, cyberstalking, and providing false information to a public servant. The charges stem from a letter sent by the accused to the Anambra State Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Local Government Affairs, falsely accusing Igwe Humphrey Ejesieme of attending a community meeting in December 2022 with armed thugs. The prosecution claims this led to the revocation of Igwe Ejesieme’s certificate of recognition as the traditional ruler of Umuona, granted in 2014 by former Governor Peter Obi. The case follows an investigation by the IGP into a complaint filed by Igwe Ejesieme, who claimed he was defamed by the defendants’ false accusations, which led to his wrongful deposition.