From Everest Ezihe, Owerri
Mr. Chinonso Uba a radio broadcaster in Imo State who for the past three weeks having a running battle with Imo State government, has finally been arraigned at a Federal High Court, Abuja by the Nigeria Police Force, NPF on two count charges bordering on insulting the State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma and ex Niger Delta militant leader, Alhaji Asari Dokubo.
Recall that Uba who’s popularly known as Nonsokwa was arrested in Owerri on July 27, 2023, and has been detained at the Police Force Headquarters, Abuja, since them.
According to the police in charge No: FHC/ABJ/CR/367/2023 between Inspector General of Police Vs Chinonso Uba told the court that Uba’s offence contravenes the Cyber Crime Prohibition Act.
According to reports, When the charge was read to the accused broadcaster, he pleaded not guilty.
The charges read: “Count One: That you CHINONSO UBA ‘m’ of Umunoha Mbaitoli on or about the 24th day of June 2023 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court intentionally sent a message by means of computer and social media networks such as Facebook etc, made a video accusing Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State and Asari Dokubo to have killed 100 (hundred) of Imo Youth and also burnt houses in Imo State, with the intention of instigating Imo State people and Igbo Tribe worldwide against the Governor knowing the said information to be false and with intent to cause annoyance inconvenience, danger, obstruction, insult, injury, criminal intimidation, enmity, hatred, ill will or needless anxiety to him and thereby committed an offence contrary and punishable under Section 24 (1) (B) Cyber Crime Prohibition Act.
“Count two: That you CHINONSO UBA ‘m’ of Umunoha in Mbaitoli LGA on or about the 24th day of June 2023 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, knowingly and intentionally made and transmitted a video via your Facebook social media handle and or any communication through a computer system or network with the intention to bully, threaten or harass the Governor of Imo State Hope Uzodimma, that he and Asari Dokubo killed 100 (Hundred) of Imo Youth and also burnt their houses with the intention of instigating the youth against him and such communication places him in fear of death, violence or bodily harm to him and members of his family and thereby committed an offence contrary to 24 (2) (A) and punishable under Section 24 (2) (C) of the Cyber Crime Prohibition Act.”
Meanwhile, the vacation judge reportedly denied the embattled Broadcaster bail and ordered that he should remain in police custody till September, 2023 when probably the court would resume.
The judge said Uba would at the time be arraigned in a proper court since his case was not an urgent one.
