A Nigerian journalist has been granted bail after spending 30 days in police custody over allegations of defaming a government official through social media.
Ejike Ogbonna, who publishes the First Citizen Newspaper, was released on ₦2 million bail by an Owerri Magistrate’s Court following his detention at the Tiger Base Police Unit in Imo State.
The court, presided over by Magistrate C.J. Uzoechi, set strict bail conditions requiring Ogbonna to provide a surety who owns property within the court’s jurisdiction, along with endorsement from a traditional ruler. The magistrate acknowledged that the offence was bailable and scheduled the next hearing for October 3, 2025.
Ogbonna faces four counts related to alleged cyberbullying and is specifically accused of defaming Chinasa Nwaneri, the Special Adviser to the Imo State Governor on Compliance, through a voice recording that was shared on social media platforms.
The journalist appeared in court wearing handcuffs, highlighting the serious nature of the charges against him. The case has drawn significant attention from the local journalism community, with fellow media practitioners in Imo State expressing strong opposition to the arrest.
Media colleagues have criticised the detention as an assault on press freedom and have appealed to the state police commissioner to prevent law enforcement officers from being instrumentalised by government officials to silence critics and intimidate citizens.
The case reflects ongoing tensions between media practitioners and government officials in Nigeria, where journalists often face legal challenges when reporting on or criticising public officials and their policies.
The cybercrime allegations against Ogbonna stem from Nigeria’s cybercrime laws, which have been increasingly used in cases involving online criticism of government officials, raising concerns about their potential impact on freedom of expression and press freedom in the country.
