Zara Nwachinemere, Abakaliki
Ebonyi State government on Wednesday slammed 15-count charges on the Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), Ebonyi state chapter, Mr. Nwoba Chika Nwoba, for allegedly publishing false information against Governor David Umahi on his facebook page
Nwoba was arraigned before a Magistrate Court sitting in Abakaliki, the state capital for also allegedly publishing materials capable of disturbing Public peace. He pleaded not guilty to the 15 count charge.
Some of the charges read; “That you Nwoba Chika Nwoba “m” on the 8 Day of October, 2021 at Ikwo L.G.A of Ebonyi State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did knowingly and intentionally publish and circulate false message via your Facebook Profile (known as Nwoba Chika Nwoba) against Dave Umahi; portraying him as the sponsor of the unknown gunmen, which is a statement causing annoyance, inconvenience, insult, and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 5 (1) (b), of the Ebonyi State Cybercrimes (Prohibition) Law No. 012 of 2021.
“That you Nwoba Chika Nwoba “m” on the 9th Day of October, 2021 at Ikwo L.G.A of Ebonyi State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did knowingly and intentionally publish and circulate false message via your Facebook Profile (known as Nwoba Chika Nwoba) against Dave Umahi; portraying him as not being fiscally prudent, which is a statement that is grossly offensive, or obscene and menacing the character of the Governor, Engr. Chief David Nweze Umani and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 5 (1) (b), of the Ebonyi State Cybercrimes (Prohibition) Law No. 012 of 2021.
‘That you Nwoba Chika Nwoba “m” on the same 9th Day of October, 2021 al Ikwo L.G.A of Ebonyi State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did knowingly and intentionally publish and circulate false message via your Facebook Profile (known as Nwoba Chika Nwoba) and against David Umahi, portraying him as breeding Criminals and Cultists in Ebonyi State, which is a statement, rumour or report likely to cause fear and alarm to the public or to disturb public peace which you know or have reason(s) to believe that such statement, rumour or report is false and thereby committed an offence under Section 5 (a) and punishable under Section 5 (2) (I) of the Ebonyi State Cybercrimes (Prohibition) Law No. 012 of 2021.
“That you Nwoba Chika Nwoba “m” on the 230 Day of October 2021 al Ikwo L.G.A of Ebonyi State within the jurisdiction The offence according to the charges against him was punishable under section 4 of the state cybercrimes (Prohibition Law No. 012 of 2021″.
Nwoba was arrested last three weeks by the state command of Ebubeagu Security Network and handed over to the police for prosecution which sparked off outcry by his party.
He was to be arraigned that last three weeks but he slumped in court.
The court ordered that he should be taken to a medical facility for medical attention after which he will face the charges preferred against him.
He was arraigned and remanded by the Magistrate court presided over by Blessing Chukwu.
The court ruled that it has no jurisdiction to entertain the matter and ordered that Nwoba be remanded in police custody, undergo Covid,-19 test and taken to Correctional Service Center.
The court adjourned the matter to February 4 for report of compliance and ordered that the case file be forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecution.
The defense counsel, Luke Nkwegu had argued before the court that the state cybercrimes Prohibition Law upon which Nwoba was being tried has not been gazetted and prayed the court to grant the defendant bail.
He told journalists that the next line of action was to utilize the provisions of the law to get Nwoba out of the which he said starts immediately.
