A Yenagoa Magistrate Court on Wednesday ordered the 30-day remand of Mr. Aye O.S. Egberi, the All Progressives Congress (APC) social media head in Bayelsa, at the Okaka Medium Correctional Facility.
The 37-year-old is charged with cyberstalking and defamation for allegedly posting false and damaging content targeting State Police Commissioner Francis Idu, Governor Douye Diri, and Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil) Senator Heineken Lokpobiri.
According to the charge sheet filed under suit number YMCA/747c/2025 at Magistrate Court 14, Egberi is accused of falsely alleging that Idu, Diri, and senior officers of the Zone 16 Command of the Nigerian Police orchestrated the July abduction of State High Court Judge Justice Ebiyerim Umokoro.
He is further alleged to have used a fake Facebook account to claim Lokpobiri was behind the creation of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Bayelsa.
Egberi was arrested on Monday by Operation Puff Adder, led by CSP Chris Uwaogbo, following orders from Commissioner Idu.
The police stated that Egberi’s posts were a deliberate attempt to undermine security efforts, including the rescue of the abducted judge.
At the hearing, presided over by Magistrate Stanley Ekeru, prosecution counsel Japhet O. Japhet, Esq., argued that Egberi’s actions violated Section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 (amended 2024), which carries a potential penalty of 10 years imprisonment and a N25 million fine.
The prosecution emphasized that the posts posed a threat to the safety of the targeted officials and public order.
Represented by defense counsel C.S. Christian, Esq., Egberi expressed remorse, claiming ignorance. The proceedings were briefly disrupted when APC state chairman Barr. Dennis Otiotio entered the courtroom, leading to a warning from the prosecution and a reprimand from the magistrate.
Magistrate Ekeru ordered Egberi’s remand pending further police investigation and advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions or arraignment at the Federal High Court.
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