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Social media influencer, Senator Chijinkem Ugwuanyi, was on Tuesday remanded in Enugu Prison following his arraignment at a Magistrates Court over allegations of cyberbullying and defamation.
Ugwuanyi appeared before the court after the Enugu State Police Command charged him with posting a message on his Facebook page that allegedly targeted the Secretary to the Enugu State Government (SSG), Prof. Chidiebere Onyia.
According to the charge, Ugwuanyi “on the 15th day of January, 2026 at Enugu within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did knowingly or intentionally forward or transmit a bullying message that ‘let us remember this quote by SSG Enugu State: some people are meant to be used to win elections while some are meant to be given appointments and political dividends – Prof Chidiebere Onyia SSG Enugu State’”.
He was accused of posting the same message on his Facebook page “which is cyberbullying/stalking against Prof. Chidiebere Onyia”.
The charge accused him of committing an “offence contrary to Section 24(2)(a)(b) and punishable under Section 24(2)(c)(i) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2015 (as amended 2024)”.
Following the arraignment, the presiding magistrate ordered Ugwuanyi to be remanded in prison custody.
Reacting to the development, Ugwuanyi’s lawyer, Barr. Frank Agbowo, confirmed the remand in a post on his Facebook page.
“Sen Chijinkem Ugwuanyi arraigned by the Commissioner of Police, Enugu State, on a non-bailable charge,” he wrote.
Agbowo said the defence relied on relevant provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Enugu State 2017, including Sections 88(b) and 225, as well as supporting case laws that empower a magistrate to grant bail in such matters.
“Regardless of our submissions… the magistrate went ahead to remand him in prison. We didn’t expect otherwise, but this one too will surely pass. Thank you all for standing for the cause of justice,” he added.
Ugwuanyi is accused of defaming the SSG, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, through his social media post.
