Imo Journalist Granted N2Million Bail After 30 Days In Custody Over Alleged Defamation
Ogbonna faces allegations of cybercrime against a government official.
Ejike Ogbonna, publisher of First Citizen Newspaper, has been granted bail of N2 million by a Magistrate’s Court in Owerri after spending 30 days in custody at the Tiger Base Police Unit.
In addition to the bail sum, the court ordered that Ogbonna provide a surety with proof of ownership of a landed property within the court’s jurisdiction and a traditional ruler to endorse the bail bond.
Presiding Magistrate C. J. Uzoechi noted that the case is bailable and adjourned the matter to October 3, 2025, for hearing.
The journalist, who appeared in court in handcuffs, faces a four-count charge related to alleged cyberbullying.
He is accused of defaming the Special Adviser to the State Governor on Compliance, Chinasa Nwaneri, via a voice note circulated on social media.
The development has sparked reactions from fellow journalists in Imo State, who condemned the arrest as an attack on media freedom.
However, they have called on the state police commissioner to caution officers against being used by government officials to intimidate citizens.