The Federal High Court No. 2 in Awka, Anambra State, has adjourned the cyberdefamation case against Awka-based businessman, Ikenna Ezeume, to April 22, 2026, for formal arraignment and plea.
Justice B.M.K. Mohammed fixed the new date after previous delays prevented Ezeume, 40, from taking his plea in the two-count charge filed by the Inspector-General of Police. The businessman is accused of defaming Jideofor Okongwu, former Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Aniocha Branch, through online publications.
According to the charge sheet (FHC/AWK/107C/2025), Ezeume allegedly circulated defamatory voice notes on two WhatsApp groups—Peoples’ Forum and Enugwu Village Forum—between February and March 2025, claiming that Okongwu fraudulently gained admission into the Nigerian Law School and was unqualified to practice law.
Count two relates to similar allegations published on Ezeume’s Facebook page, where he reportedly accused Okongwu of securing admission into Delta State University fraudulently, questioning the legitimacy of his legal qualifications.
The prosecution argued that these acts contravene Section 24(2)(a) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 (as amended in 2024), which criminalises the intentional transmission of false information that can harm another person’s reputation.
The case has faced multiple adjournments. It was initially scheduled for mention last year but was postponed after Ezeume’s counsel cited hospitalization. Subsequent dates in September 2025 and February 2026 were also missed, either due to the defendant’s ill health or court engagements.
When the charges were read on Thursday, Ezeume pleaded not guilty to both counts.
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