Description
A Nigerian journalist who the police have detained without trial for more than six weeks is set to be arraigned.
Friday Alefia, publisher of the online newspaper, Naija News Today (formerly Asiwaju Media), will face alleged cybercrime charges when he appears in court on Wednesday.
He was arrested in Lagos on 23 September after operatives of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) traced the phone of his house caretaker to his residence in Ikorodu, Lagos.
He was subsequently transferred to Abuja and has since been kept at the detention facility of the now-defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), despite repeated demands by his family and lawyers for him to be charged to court.
Family members say the prolonged detention has taken a toll on his health, adding that he has been taken to the hospital twice, with the family covering the medical bills.
A relative, Chijioke Alefia, stated that the family and their lawyer had repeatedly requested that the police arraign him if they believed he had committed any crime.
Mr Alefia accused the police of yielding to political pressure, alleging that the journalist was targeted over reports critical of Chinedu Ogah, the member representing Ezza South/Ikwo Federal Constituency of Ebonyi State in the House of Representatives.
“Friday is a journalist and also a constituent. He voted and has the right to question his representation,” he said.
The charges
A five-count charge dated 8 October and seen by PREMIUM TIMES on Sunday, lists Mr Alefia as the first defendant and Asiwaju Media Company Ltd as the second defendant, with the Commissioner of Police as the complainant.
The case is before a judge, Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, under charge number FHC/ABJ/CR/53/2025.
In count one, the police accuse the defendants of conspiracy for allegedly using computer systems, including social media platforms such as Facebook, to make false publications.
Count two alleges that they published a report titled “How Federal Lawmaker Ogah Snatches Village Land in Ebonyi,” knowing it to be false.
In count three, Mr Alefia is accused of cyberstalking for allegedly posting a false statement on Facebook in which Mr Ogah was quoted as saying: “I rigged senatorial poll against Emmanuel Onwe.”
Count four relates to the publication titled “Ebonyi Rep Member Returns #4 Million Amidst Extortion Allegations,” which the police say is also false.
Count five concerns another allegedly false report titled “Ebonyi Rep Member Threatens Constituent for Supporting Charity Foundation.”
According to the prosecution, all five counts violate Section 24(2)(a) of the Cybercrimes Amendment Act and are punishable under Section 24(2)(c)(i).
Reports that triggered the petition
PREMIUM TIMES had reported that the case stems from reports published by Naija News Today in late 2024. One story, “Ogah’s Political Future Uncertain Amid Senate Rumours,” examined speculation about the lawmaker’s ambitions ahead of the 2027 general election.
Another article carried strong criticism of his representation and political relevance. The publications reportedly angered the lawmaker and prompted a petition to the police.
