Peter Ekemezie, a former lecturer in the chemistry department of Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Awka, was given a six-month prison term for making derogatory allegations about a professor named Alex Asigbo.
Ekemezie was given the option of paying a N300,000 fine despite being charged with three counts that bordered on forgery and defamation.
His Worship, E.C. Chukwu, said he took into account the fact that the defendant had spent one month in a psychiatric home and four months in a correctional facility while pronouncing the verdict on Tuesday at an Awka Magistrates’ court.
During the trial, Asigbo told the court that Ekemezie forged his signature when he refused to give him (Ekemezie) a witness statement but instead advised him to procure a subpoena.