By Ovat Abeng
The Magistrate Court 1 sitting in Amawbia, Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State, has warned a 40-year-old businessman, Mr Ikenna Ezeume, to stopped the online defamation against the former Chairman Emeritus of the Nigerian Bar Association, (NBA), Aniocha Branch, Barrister Jideofor Okongwu of alleged using of a forged WAEC and Law certificate to practice the profession or risk a fine of five million or imprisonment.
The Chief Magistrate, C.O Ezekwere, gave the warning after granting the defendant bailed of N1 million with a surty in a like sum.
The defendant who is standing trial over allegations of cyberbullying and defamation, was arraigned by the police in the case titled Inspector General of Police v. Ikenna Ezeume with the charge sheet marked MAN/336/C/2025.
READ ALSO: Former NUJ treasurer, Onwumelu appointed supervisory councillor for finance, Idemili North
According to the charge sheet obtained by our correspondent on Monday, the defendant is facing two counts, summarised as follows: “That you IKENNA EZEUME “M, of road 2, plot 2A Green Ville Estate Awka, sometime between the 1st day of March 2025, through the 31st day of April 2025 within the Awka South Magisterial District did published a defamatory matter in the internet and other social network like whatsapp that Barrister Okongwu Jideofor ‘M’ the Chairman Emeritus of Nigeria Bar Association (N.B.A) Aniocha Branch, forged his WAEC result with which he used to study Law at Delta State University, knowing same to be false, a publication which was likely to injure his reputation as the Chairman Emeritus of Nigeria Bar Association (N.B.A) Aniocha Branch, by exposing him to hatred, contempt, ridicule and likely to damage him in his profession as a legal practitioner and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 325 of the Criminal Code Cap 36 Vol. II Revised law of Anambra State of Nigeria 1991 as amended.
“COUNT II: That you IKENNA EZEUME “M”, of Road 2, plot 2A Green Ville Estate Awka on the 20th day of March 2025 within the Awka South Magisterial District did intentionally give information which you knew to be false, to the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 13 Zonal Headquarters through a written petition dated 20th March 2025, that one Barrister Okongwu Jideofor ‘M’ the Chairman Emeritus of Nigeria Bar Association (N.B.A) Aniocha Branch, forged his academic certificate (WAEC certificate) with which he used to study Law at Delta State University, this you did with the intention of causing the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zonal Police Headquarters Ukpo, Anambra State, to direct SGT. CHIDIOKE ALAEFIA of the ZONAL CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION DEPARTMENT, ZONE 13 UKPO, to use and he actually used his {awful powers as a public servant to the injury of the said Barrister Okongwu Jideofor ‘M’ an action which he ought not to had taken if the true facts of your Information were known to him and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 154(1) (b) of the Criminal Code Cap 36, Vol. II R Laws of Anambra State of Nigeria 1991 as Amended.
Reacting further on the matter, Magistrate Ezekwere, equally warned the complainant, Barrister Okongwu to stopped using fowl languages on the defendant for the sake peace and total reconciliation.
“I am using this Magistrate Court to banned the two worried parties from using ill-words on each other henceforth.
“This warning aligns with standard Nigerian civil defamation proceedings which restrained individuals from making further defamatory statements, enforcing these with a penalty of significant financial fines (e.g., N5m) and potential imprisonment for contempt if the order is ignored, he noted
Ezekwere adjourned the case to July 30th, August 6th and 13th, 2026 further hearing.
