An Enugu East Magistrate’s Court sitting in Nkwo Nike, Enugu State, has remanded in prison custody a 45-year-old man, Ani Chidi, for allegedly recording and circulating a video showing an attack on members of the Nigeria Democratic Congress during a political meeting in Obuoffia Awkunanaw.
Chidi was arraigned by the Enugu State Police Command on Monday on three counts bordering on cybercrime and alleged criminal defamation under Section 24(2)(a)&(c)(i) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015 (as amended 2024).
In the charge sheet that our correspondent obtained on Tuesday, marked MEN/ 151c/2026 brought before Chief Magistrate F. E. Chukwu (Chief Magistrate Grade 1), the police accused the defendant of publishing video footage of the September 12, 2026 attack across social media platforms and online media outlets.
The prosecution alleged that the defendant falsely accused three individuals – Ani Nnabuike, Solomon Ifeanyi, and Monday Anninwe – of being part of the armed group that invaded the NDC meeting.
The charges read partly, “That you, Ani Samuel Chidi ‘m’, on the 12th day of September, 2026, at about 0540hours at Obuoffia Awkunanaw, Enugu, did intentionally author, record and published a false statement against Ani Nnabuike ‘m’ on Ite-Odo Obuoffia Community Whatsapp Group, Tik-Tok, Instagram, Facebook, Sahara Reporters by stating that ‘he is a member of the armed group that attacked members of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and disrupted their political meeting’ and also threatened to kill him and his family members, a publication which you knew to be false and put Ani Nnabuike ‘m’ in fear of imminent attack from members of the public; and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 24(2)(a)&(c)(i) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition Prevention Etc) Act, 2015 (as amended 2024).”
Following the arraignment by Police Prosecutor Ajogwu, the magistrate ordered that the defendant be remanded in prison custody.
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👉 JOIN GISTSMATE WHATSAPP CHANNELReacting to the development, the Enugu State chapter of the NDC expressed outrage over the prosecution, alleging that the police turned against the witness who captured evidence of the violence while releasing suspected perpetrators involved in the gun attack.
The party called on law enforcement agencies to ensure a fair and independent investigation into the Obuoffia political violence, urging the state authorities to desist from using the judicial process against witnesses.
The party in a statement on Tuesday, signed by Sampson Ukwu, Media Aide to Sir Christian Chinyeaka Ohaa, NDC Governorship candidate, described the police action as worrisome.
The statement partly read, “It is worrisome that those who swore to protect the constitution and the law which expressly provides freedom of peaceful assembly and other rights kept quiet in face of such a grievous crime in the state even when it claims to be championing the security and well-being of her citizens. What a thickly woven tapestry meant to hoodwink the people in order portray that all is well in the state even when it is otherwise.
“Now, in a fresh, harrowing twist of criminal desperation, the very masterminds behind the Obuoffia bloodshed are attempting to eliminate crucial evidence by targeting the star witness, Chidi Ezeani, who courageously captured video evidence of the attack. Having narrowly survived their physical violence, Mr. Ezeani is now the target of weaponized state machinery. In a sinister plot to silence him, the Attorney General of Enugu State is currently orchestrating trumped-up charges to arraign this brave witness in court. He was charged, arraigned for libel and hurriedly remanded in prison custody.
“We say in clear and unmistakable terms to Governor Peter Mbah: Stop suffocating the people. Let Ndi Enugu breathe.
“We strongly call on the Nigeria Police Force to distance themselves entirely from this malicious abuse of judicial process. The Enugu State Government must step back immediately and allow law enforcement agencies to carry out a fair, unhindered, and independent investigation into the Obuoffia violence,” the statement partly read.
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