Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has criticized the ongoing detention of Chizorom Harrison Ofoegbu (Ijele), a Nigerian blogger, by the Nigerian authorities.
The blogger has been held in Ikoyi Prison since April 2024 on allegations of cybercrime, despite fulfilling bail conditions. However, his release has been delayed due to additional defamation charges filed in Awka, Anambra State.
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Falana pointed out that the Federal High Court has already ruled it lacks jurisdiction to try defamation cases, emphasizing that defamation is not an offense under federal jurisdiction.
He further noted that the charge against Ijele for making online publications intending to harm the reputation of Evangelist Ebuka Obi was not supported by existing law, as amendments to the Cybercrimes Act in 2024 had removed references to “causing hatred.”
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Falana also argued that conspiracy charges related to the non-existent offense of online publication defamation are invalid, referencing a previous ruling where a conspiracy charge based on an unknown offense was thrown out. Falana called for Ijele’s immediate release, asserting that his detention over the charges was unlawful.
The case remains a critical issue for legal observers and human rights advocates, with concerns about the misuse of cybercrime laws for personal vendettas.
Nigerian Bar Association Monthly Newsletter Maiden Edition – December 2024
