The Nigeria Police Force has filed an amended three-count criminal charge against social media influencer Chizorom Harrison Ofoegbu, known as Ijele, in the Federal High Court in Lagos State.
The charges, involving conspiracy, criminal defamation, cybercrime, and threats to life, were filed by the Inspector General of Police as the complainant against Ofoegbu as the defendant.
The charges, identified as FHCA/3210/24, allege that Ofoegbu’s actions violate sections 24(1)(a)(b), (2)(a)(b); 27(1)(a) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention) Act 2015 and sections 373 and 374 of the Criminal Code Act, punishable under section 375 of the Criminal Code Act.
Previously, on April 18, a magistrate court in Abuja had dismissed a related case against Ofoegbu concerning criminal intimidation, threat to life, cyberstalking, and cyberbullying. Chief Magistrate Emmanuel Iyanna ruled on the bail application filed by Ofoegbu’s lawyer, stating that the case was struck out due to lack of jurisdiction. The judge directed the police to bring the case before a competent court to allow the defendant to plead according to the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015.
In his ruling on the bail application, Chief Magistrate Iyanna emphasized that his court had no charge against Ofoegbu and thus lacked jurisdiction to hear the case. The prosecution was instructed to file charges at the Federal High Court.
On May 16, a petition was filed with the Federal Capital Territory Judicial Service Commission seeking the sanction and dismissal of Chief Magistrate Emmanuel Iyanna. The petition, submitted by Chimara Loveday Ofoegbu on behalf of his detained brother, accused Iyanna of collaborating with certain police officers to unlawfully detain Ofoegbu without trial.
Copies of the petition were sent to the Chairman of the FCT Judicial Service Commission, the Chief Justice of the Federation, the Chief Judge of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, and Chief Magistrate Iyanna.
According to Sahara Reporters, the amended charges, filed on May 13, 2024, accuse Ofoegbu of using his social media handle ‘The King of the Game’ to make defamatory and offensive statements against Evang. Ebuka Obi, the spiritual director of Zion Movement Outreach Ministry in Lagos. The publications allegedly aimed to annoy, expose Obi to hatred and ridicule by claiming he performed fake and staged miracles.
The counts are detailed as follows:
Count 1: Ofoegbu, in February 2024, conspired with others to make false, vexatious, and offensive online publications against Evang. Ebuka Obi using his social media handle. These publications, alleging fake miracles, were intended to damage Obi’s reputation and cause public hatred, violating section 27(1)(a) of the Cybercrimes Act.
Count 2: Ofoegbu used his social media handle to cyberstalk Obi, making vexatious and offensive statements that induced fear of death and damaged Obi’s reputation. This action, attracting numerous views, violated sections 24(1)(a)(b) and 24(2)(a)(b) of the Cybercrimes Act.
Count 3: Ofoegbu committed defamation by publishing statements intended to annoy, expose to hatred, contempt, and ridicule Obi, accusing him of performing fake miracles. These statements, which attracted public attention, criminally disparaged and damaged Obi’s reputation, violating sections 373 and 374 of the Criminal Code Act, and punishable under section 375 of the Criminal Code Act.
The charges were signed by DSP Peter Ejike and Inspector Edwin Aituazobe Inegbenoise of the Nigeria Police Force Legal Department in Abuja.
