By Obasola Olatunde
The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Wednesday ordered the remand of an Abuja based journalist, James Alefia, in Kuje Correctional Centre over alleged cyberbullying and publication of false information against a federal lawmaker.
Alefia, who is the Publisher of the online news platform Naija News Today, was arraigned on a five count charge filed by the Nigeria Police Force following a petition by Hon. Chinedu Ogah, member representing Ezza South/Ikwo Federal Constituency of Ebonyi State in the House of Representatives.
According to court filings, Ogah accused the journalist of using social media platforms, including Facebook, to publish false and damaging reports intended to smear his reputation. The petition alleged that Alefia’s reports contained fabrications that portrayed the lawmaker as corrupt and dishonest in the discharge of his public duties.
Alefia’s media company, Asiwaju Media Company Ltd, was also named as the second defendant in the case, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/53/2025.
When the charges were read in open court, the journalist, who had been in police detention since September 23, 2025, pleaded not guilty to all counts.
Presiding judge, Justice Obiora Egwuatu, after listening to the submissions of counsel, ordered that the defendant be remanded in Kuje prison custody, pending trial. The case was adjourned to January 27, 2026, for hearing.
In the charge sheet presented before the court, police prosecutors alleged that the journalist and his firm violated Section 27 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024, and are liable for punishment under Section 24(2)(c)(ii) of the same Act.
The prosecution claimed that Alefia and his company published two separate reports described as “false and malicious.” One of the reports was titled,
“How Federal Lawmaker Ogah Snatches Village Land in Ebonyi,” while another read, “Ebonyi Rep Member Returns N4 Million Amidst Extortion Allegations.”
Both publications, according to investigators, were widely shared across social media platforms, allegedly with intent to “injure the reputation” of the complainant.
The Police further maintained that the offences border on cyber harassment, false publication, and misuse of computer systems for criminal purposes.
Justice Egwuatu held that the matter would proceed to trial in the next adjourned date to allow the prosecution present its witnesses and evidence against the accused journalist.
The Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act criminalises online communication considered defamatory, threatening, or false with intent to cause harm, though rights groups have often criticised its application in cases involving journalists, saying it could be used to stifle press freedom.
Meanwhile, press advocacy organisations and media rights groups are closely monitoring the development, describing it as another test of the boundary between responsible journalism and the freedom of expression in Nigeria’s digital media space