Two women have been arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja over allegations that they circulated damaging claims accusing another woman of murdering her husband’s first wife.
The defendants, identified as Nkiru Ulasi and Ogechukwu Angela, appeared before Justice Binta Nyako on Thursday to answer a three-count charge bordering on alleged cyberbullying, defamation, threats and the dissemination of false information.
The case was instituted by the Inspector-General of Police (I-G) over alleged publications involving Mrs Uju Akubueze on WhatsApp and TikTok.
According to the prosecution, the defendants allegedly circulated videos, photographs and WhatsApp conversations containing accusations against Akubueze, including claims that she was responsible for the death of her husband’s first wife.
The police further alleged that the defendants labelled Akubueze an HIV carrier without providing any justification for the claims.
The prosecution maintained that the materials were deliberately circulated in different formats and at different times, allegedly exposing the complainant to reputational damage and online harassment.
The charges were filed by John Ijagbemi of the Directorate of Legal Services, Zone 7 Police Headquarters, Abuja, under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, as amended in 2024.
When the case was called, Ijagbemi requested that the charges be read to the defendants. Their lawyers, Wisdom Elum and Pascal Nnaji, did not oppose the application.
Both defendants pleaded not guilty to all three counts.
Following their pleas, the prosecution requested a trial date, while counsel to the defendants urged the court to ensure an accelerated hearing.
Lawyers seek bail for defendants
During the proceedings, Elum, who represented Ulasi, informed the court that he had filed a bail application on behalf of his client.
He said the application, dated November 3 and filed on November 5, sought her release pending the conclusion of the criminal proceedings.
The lawyer argued that his client was entitled to the presumption of innocence and urged the court to grant bail on liberal terms.
He also disputed the prosecution’s claim that Ulasi had breached an earlier administrative bail arrangement, arguing that the police had not sufficiently established the allegation.
The defence counsel further presented media publications relating to the dispute.
In response, Justice Nyako observed that journalists were entitled to report court proceedings, but stressed that such reports must accurately reflect what happened in court.
Counsel to Angela, Nnaji, also applied for bail, arguing that the prosecution had no objection to his client’s release.
The police lawyer confirmed that the prosecution was not opposing Angela’s application, explaining that she had complied with the conditions of her earlier administrative bail and had responded whenever she was contacted.
However, the prosecution opposed Ulasi’s request, alleging that she had previously jumped administrative bail. Ijagbemi said the police had filed a 27-paragraph counter-affidavit urging the court to reject her application.
Court grants N5 million bail
In her ruling, Justice Nyako held that the offences charged were bailable and admitted each defendant to bail in the sum of N5 million, with two sureties in like sum.
The judge directed that at least one surety for each defendant must be resident in Abuja.
She also cautioned Ulasi against violating any bail conditions, warning that a breach could lead to the revocation of bail.
Pending the fulfilment of the bail requirements, the court ordered that both defendants remain in a correctional centre.
The case was adjourned until March 23, 2027, for the commencement of trial.
The allegations against the defendants remain unproven. Both women pleaded not guilty and are presumed innocent unless established otherwise by the court.
