By Ovat Abeng
Justice M.B.K Mohammed of the Federal High Court Awka, Anambra State, has called on practicing lawyers in Anambra State to desist from shielding suspects standing trial over cases of defamation, bullying, assault and other crime against fellow members of the profession during court hearings.
Mohammed made the called shortly after granting interim bailed to a defendant, Mr Ikenna Ezeume, for accusing the former Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Anaocha branch, Barrister Jideofor Okongwu of using forged law certificate to practice, cyberbullying and online defamation of his character.
The defendant was arraigned by police from the State CID Awka, in the case titled Inspector General of Police v. Ikenna Ezeume with the charge sheet marked-FHC/AWK/107C/2025.
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According to the charge sheet obtained by our correspondent on Monday, April 27th, 2026, the defendant is facing two counts, summarised as follows:
Count 1: That you, Ikenna Ezeume ‘m’ of Road 2, Plot 2 Greenville, Estate Awka, Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State between the months of February, 2025 and March, 2025, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did knowingly or intentionally publish defamatory voice record/statement via a WatsApp social platform tagged” Peoples Forum and Enugwu Village Forum”, wherein you said: “that one Barrister Jideofor Okongwu did not obtain the requisite qualifications to gain admission into the Delta State University and that he gained admission into the Nigerian Law School through fraudulent means and does not qualify to practice as a legal practitioner’, statement which you knew to be false, and has injured the reputation of the said Barrister Jideofor Okongwu before the right-thinking members of the aforementioned Whatsapp groups and also the public which have also placed him in fear of imminent possible attack. You thereby committed an offence Punishable under Section 24(2)(a) of the Cyber Crime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act, 2015 (As Amended, 2024).
COUNT II: That you, Ikenna Ezeume ‘m’ of Road 2, Plot 2 Greenviile, Estate Awka, Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State between the months of February, 2025 and March, 2025, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did knowingly or intentionally publish defamatory voice record/statement to social media via your facebook page tagged “Jkenna Ezeume”“ wherein you said: “that one Barrister Jideofor Okongwu did not obtain requisite qualifications to gain admission into the Delta State University and that he gained admission into the Nigerian Law School through fraudulent means and does not qualify to practice as a legal practitioner’, Statement which you knew to be false, and has injured the reputation of the said Barrister Jideofor Okongwu before the rightthinking members of the public which have also placed him in fear of imminent possible attack. You thereby committed an offence Punishable under Section 24(2)(a) of the Cyber Crime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act, 2015 (As Amended, 2024).
Speaking further, Justice Mohammed while appealing for the both parties to find a way to resolved the matter amicably, urged the lawyers, especially, members of the Nigerian Bar Association NBA, to always develop a habit of defending their colleagues who are victims of the above mentioned allegations, like in the case of Barrister Okongwu, who has been in the mess without any signed of solidarity from the law professionals despite being a former Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Anaocha branch, NBA chairman of all chairmen in Anambra State and a former member of NBA National Executive Committee.
“Lawyers should not be soldiers friends to the extent of shielding a suspect against he/her professional colleague because of money or other gestures.
“If a suspect wake up and said this lawyer is fake and get out of it, what stop you from running around for your colleague instead of other way round.
“I expected you, the counsels to tell your defendant that what you did to our colleague is condemnable and unprofessional, let us sit down and talk about it, instead, you go to the extent of forging a fake medical report to shield your client, it is wrong.
“It shows a clear disrespect to the profession.
Barrister Okongwu should be accosted with respect as a commitment, dedicated and proud member of the Nigerian Bar Association NBA in Nigeria, Justice Mohammed quarrel.
The defendant was remanded in prison pending when he will meet up with his bailed conditions.
The matter was adjourned to a later date for continuation of the hearing.
