Court remands Bayelsa APC Social Media head for 30 days over alleged cyberstalking

By Tapre Timine, Bayelsa

A Magistrate Court in Yenagoa has ordered the remand of the head of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Social Media Team in Bayelsa State, Mr. Aye O.S. Egberi, at the Okaka Medium Correctional Centre for 30 days over alleged cyberstalking.

Egberi, 37, was arraigned on Wednesday before Magistrate Court 14, presided over by Magistrate Stanley Ekeru, on charges of publishing defamatory materials against Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, the State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Francis Idu, and Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri.

According to the charge sheet, the defendant was arrested by operatives of Operation Puff Adder, led by CSP Chris Uwaogbo, for allegedly posting malicious write-ups on Facebook accusing Governor Diri, Commissioner Idu, and senior police officers of masterminding the July abduction of a State High Court judge, Justice Ebiyerim Umokoro.

Egberi was also accused of operating a fake Facebook account through which he allegedly linked Senator Lokpobiri to the floating of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Bayelsa.

Police prosecution counsel, Japhet O. Japhet Esq, told the court that the publications endangered the lives of the governor, the commissioner, and their families, stressing that the offence contravenes section 24 (1)(b) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015, which carries a penalty of up to 10 years’ imprisonment and a fine of ₦25 million.

He urged the court to remand the accused pending investigations, while Egberi’s defence counsel, C.S. Christian Esq, opposed the request. Proceedings briefly turned political when the State APC Chairman, Dr. Dennis Otiotio, entered the courtroom, prompting the prosecution to caution that the matter was strictly judicial.

In his ruling, Magistrate Ekeru ordered Egberi’s remand at the Okaka Correctional Centre for 30 days to enable the police to conclude investigations, pending advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Egberi, who appeared remorseful, told the court that his posts were made out of ignorance.