PDP spokesman re-arraigned, remanded for ‘spreading false information’ against Gov. Umahi
[From CHINEDU NWAFOR, Abakaliki]
For allegedly publishing false information against Governor David Umahi, as well as, spreading materials capable of disturbing public peace on his Facebook page, the Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in Ebonyi, Nwoba Chika Nwoba was, Wednesday re-arraigned in a Magistrate Court sitting in Abakaliki, the state capital.
Mr Nwoba was arrested last three weeks by the State command of Ebubeagu Security Network along Enugu/Abakaliki expressway and was handed over to the police for prosecution, a development that did not go down well with the main opposition party in the state.
Nwoba’s arraignment was botched last week after he reportedly collapsed in court.
He was arraigned on 15-count charge before Magistrate Blessing Chukwu.
Mr Nwoba’s offence, according to the police prosecutor, was punishable under section 4 of the state cybercrime (Prohibition Law No. 012 of 2021.
However, he pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
Ruling, the presiding Magistrate said the court had no jurisdiction to entertain the matter.
The court ordered that Nwoba be remanded in police custody, and should be subjected to Covid,-19 test before he would be taken to Correctional Service Center.
The court adjourned the matter to February 4, 2021, for report of compliance and ordered that the case file be forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecution.
Barrister Luke Nkwegu, Counsel to Mr Nwoba, had argued before the court that the State cybercrimes Prohibition Law upon which Nwoba was being tried had not been gazetted and prayed the court to grant the defendant bail.
