Alex Enumah in Abuja
The Inspector-General (IG) of Police, has filed a six rely prison cost against one Emenike Okorie, an indigene of Amazu, Umuhu Ezechi, Bende Local Government Area of Abia State, for making fraudulent allegations and questioning the report of the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu.
The six rely cost dated October 26 was filed on behalf of the Police by Anthony Egwu of the Police Directorate of Legal Services.
The Police within the cost marked: FHC/ ABJ/ CR/710/2026, alleges that Okorie circulated messages on the Umuhu Ezechi Development Union WhatsApp group in violation of provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act 2015, as amended in 2024.
According to the prosecution, the messages contained data Okorie allegedly knew to be false and had been transmitted for functions together with bullying, threatening or harassing the Deputy Speaker.
The disputed posts reportedly contained allegations referring to a N348 million garri-processing mission in Umuhu Ezechi, in addition to criticisms of Kalu’s illustration of Bende Federal Constituency.
According to the police, the defendant meant to trigger reputational injury to Kalu.
Count one of many cost reads:That you Emenike Okorie ‘M’ 49 years outdated of Amazu, Umuhu Ezechi, Bende, Abia State did knowingly and deliberately transmit or trigger the transmission of communication within the type of a put up via laptop system or community on the Umuhu Ezechi Development Union Whstsapp Grouwp whereby you said, “ sure, OUK is a striker, however I can’t say the identical factor a few man that used the title of Umuhu Ezechi to steal N348 million within the title of an inexistent Garri Processing Plant in Umuhu Ezechi.
So, Ben Kalu is just not a striker however Scam, and subsequently, have to be modified earlier than he sells and liquidate Bende Federal Constituency…”, a put up you made referring to Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie, the Deputy Speaker, House of Representative as a rip-off and irresponsible consultant of Bende Federal Constituency, figuring out identical to be false, for the aim of inflicting a breakdown of regulation and order, and posing a menace to lifetime of the mentioned Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie, the Deputy Speaker, House of Representative and also you thereby dedicated an offence opposite to and punishable underneath part 24 (1) (b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act 2015 ( as amended) 2024
Count 2
“That you Emenike Okorie ‘M’ 49 years old of Amazu, Umuhu Ezechi, Bende, Abia State did knowingly and intentionally transmit or cause the transmission of communication in the form of a post through — computer system or network on the Umuhu Ezechi Development Union Whatsapp Group wherein you stated, “ yes. OUK is a striker, but I can’t say the same thing about a man that used the name of Umuhu Ezechi to steal N348 million in the name of an inexistent Garri Processing Plant in Umuhu Ezechi. So, Ben Kalu is not a striker but Scam, and therefore, must be changed before he sells and liquidate Bende Federal Constituency…”, a put up you knowingly or deliberately transmitted to bully, threaten or harass the individual of Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie, the Deputy Speaker, House of Representative, putting him in concern of violence or bodily hurt and also you thereby dedicated an offence opposite to part 24 (2) (a) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act 2015 ( as amended) 2024 and punishable underneath part 24 (2) (c(i) of the Act.
Meanwhile, human rights lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, in a press release yesterday mentioned he had intervened within the matter to safe Okorie’s launch.
the allegations contained within the cost stay unproven, and the cost sheet doesn’t set up that Okorie dedicated the offences alleged against him.
The case has drawn consideration to the rising rigidity between on-line political commentary, calls for for accountability and the appliance of Nigeria’s cybercrime legal guidelines to alleged harassment and reputational assaults.
The court docket doc reviewed in reference to the case didn’t set up an arraignment date, plea, bail resolution or last judicial willpower.
Okorie stays presumed harmless till confirmed responsible by a reliable court docket.
