A Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, and presided over by Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke, on Monday, July 14, 2025, arraigned 10 members of the Ogidi Union, Anambra State (Lagos Branch), on a five-count charge bordering on conspiracy, cyberstalking, and threat to life.
The defendants—eight women and two men—were brought before the court by the Nigeria Police Force following allegations that they used a WhatsApp group to send offensive and threatening messages to one Mrs. Uju Patricia Ibegbu, allegedly damaging her reputation and placing her in fear of violence and death.
The accused are: Onyeka Udemezue, Uchenna Mbelu, Obiageli Stella Obiakor, Ogochukwu Okeke, Nkechi Okudo, Ifeoma Ikechukwu Udoh, Eucharia Agbogu, Lizzy Obianyo, Ogochukwu Agbogu, and Elochukwu Abada Okoye, aged between 37 and 65.
At the start of proceedings, the prosecution counsel, L.S. Oju, representing the Force CID, Ikoyi, informed the court of an amended five-count charge dated July 1, 2025. Justice Aneke ordered that the charges be read to the defendants, all of whom pleaded not guilty.
According to the charge sheet marked FHC/L/888c/2024, the offences were allegedly committed between 2023 and 2024. The defendants, along with others still at large, were accused of conspiring to commit cyberstalking by sending offensive messages via a WhatsApp group operated by the Women’s Wing of the Ogidi Union, Lagos Branch. The messages allegedly harmed the complainant’s reputation and instilled fear of bodily harm.
The offences are said to contravene Sections 24(1)(a) and (b), 24(2)(a)(i), and 27(1)(b) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015, and Section 518(2) of the Criminal Code Act, CAP C38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
Following their plea, the defence counsel, Dan C. Okoye, informed the court of a pending bail application, which he moved accordingly. The application, dated and filed on July 8, 2025, was supported by an 18-paragraph affidavit sworn to by each of the 10 defendants. It was accompanied by several exhibits, including a copy of the amended charge, a letter from the nominal complainant’s solicitor, and a written submission.
The prosecution confirmed receipt of the bail application and raised no objection.
In a bench ruling, Justice Aneke stated that he would review the application and deliver a ruling. Meanwhile, he ordered the interim release of the defendants to Mr. Columbus Obiemeka Okaro, a retired Commissioner of Police (Legal) from Ogidi, and their counsel, Dan C. Okoye, who are to ensure their attendance at the next hearing.
“The defendants are hereby released to the retired Commissioner of Police and the defendants’ lawyer and shall be in court on Friday, 18th July by 12:00 p.m. for ruling on their bail application,” Justice Aneke ruled
