Journalist Granted Bail After 30 Days In Police Custody Over Alleged Defamation Of Governor’s Aide
A Magistrate’s Court sitting in Owerri, Imo State, has granted bail to the publisher of First Citizen Newspaper, Mr Ejike Ogbonna, after spending 30 days in police detention at the Tiger Base Unit.
The presiding Magistrate, C. J. Uzoechi, on Thursday admitted Ogbonna to bail in the sum of N2 million with stringent conditions.
The court ruled that the publisher must produce a surety with verifiable proof of ownership of a landed property within the jurisdiction, as well as secure the endorsement of a recognised traditional ruler.
The court further adjourned the matter to October 3, 2025, for continuation of hearing.
Ogbonna, who appeared in court in handcuffs, is facing a four-count charge bordering on alleged cyberbullying and defamation.
He was accused of maligning the Special Adviser to the Imo State Governor on Compliance, Chinasa Nwaneri, through a voice note circulated on social media.
The journalist’s prolonged detention had sparked outrage among media practitioners in the state, who condemned his arrest and described it as a clampdown on press freedom.
They called on the state Commissioner of Police to ensure that officers under his command were not used by government officials to intimidate citizens.
Speaking after the ruling, some journalists who thronged the court premises hailed the decision as a victory for media freedom, insisting that the matter must be diligently tried in court rather than being reduced to a tool of harassment.
As of the time of filing this report, efforts to reach the police authorities for further comments proved unsuccessful.
Sodiq Lawal is a passionate and dedicated journalist with a knack for uncovering captivating stories in the bustling metropolis of Osun State and Nigeria at large. He has a versatile reporting style, covering a wide range of topics, from politics , campus, and social issues to arts and culture, seeking impact in all facets of the society.
