A Magistrate Court in Yenagoa has ordered the remand of the Head of Social Media for the Bayelsa State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Aye O.S. Egberi, at the Okaka Medium Correctional Centre for 30 days over alleged cyberstalking.
Egberi was arrested by operatives of Operation Puff Adder, led by CSP Chris Uwaogbo, following allegations that he published a defamatory post accusing Governor Douye Diri, the State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Francis Idu, and senior officers of Zone 16 Command of masterminding the July abduction of High Court Judge, Justice Ebiyerim Umokoro.
At Wednesday’s arraignment before Magistrate Stanley Ekeru in Court 14, with suit number YMCA/747c/2025, the Police Prosecution Counsel, Japhet O. Japhet Esq, urged the court to remand the defendant pending further investigation. He argued that the publication endangered the lives of those named and violated Section 24 (1)(b) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015 (as amended in 2024), which carries a penalty of up to 10 years imprisonment and a fine of N25 million.
Egberi, 37, reportedly admitted his claims were made out of ignorance and expressed remorse.
During proceedings, the appearance of APC State Chairman, Barr. Dennis Otiotio, drew caution from the prosecution, who reminded the court it was not a political gathering. The magistrate also reprimanded the defence team before delivering his ruling.
Magistrate Ekeru ordered Egberi’s remand at the Okaka Medium Correctional Centre pending further police investigations and advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions.
