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A magistrate court sitting in Yenagoa on Wednesday remanded the head of the Social Media team of the Bayelsa Chapter of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Mr. Aye Egberi for 30 days at the Okaka Medium Correctional facility over alleged involvement in the cases of cyber stalking of the State Police Commissioner, Mr. Francis Idu and the State Governor, Senator Douye Diri.
According to the charge sheet presented before the Magistrate Court 14, the accused was arrested by the Operation Puff Adder headed by CSP Chris Uwaogbo over alleged posting of a malicious write-up accusing the State Commissioner of Police, Francis Idu and the Governor, Senator Douye Siri over being the mastermind behind the July abduction of the State High Court Judge, Justice Ebiyerin Umukoro.
Mr. Egberi , was also accused of publishing defamatory article claiming that Gov. Douye Diri, the Police Commissioner, Francis Idu and Senior officers of the Zone 16 Command of the Nigerian Police masterminded the recent abduction of a State High Court Judge.
Egberi was arrested on Monday, by the operatives of the Operation Puff Adder on the order of the State Commissioner of Police, Francis Idu to come and explain how those he accused masterminded the kidnapping.
The police argued that despite the concerted efforts of the men of the Operation Puff Adder, the State Commissioner of Police and the State Government to ensure the rescue of the abducted State High Court Judge, the publication of Egberi was a deliberate act to sabotage efforts to ensure security of lives in the State.
Egberi, who was apologetic and claimed, the accusations was written out of ignorance, was arraigned before the Magistrate Court on Wednesday for alleged cyber bullying.
At the hearing, presided over by Magistrate, Stanley Ekeru with suit number, YMCA/747c/2025, between the State Police Command and Mr.Aye Egberi,37 years old, the prosecution requested for the court to remand the accused over alleged cyber bullying pending further investigation.
According to the Police Prosecution Counsel, Japhet .O.Japhet Esq, the defendant ” used the said Facebook accounts to ridicule, mocked and targeted the State Governor, Police CP and others in order to cause breakdown of law and order in the State” posing a threat to them and their families”
“That the said publication is targeted at endangering the lives of the State Governor and the Police Commissioner and others,” it added.
During arguments, Police Prosecution Counsel, Japhet Japhet called on the court to consider the probable cause to remand the accused over alleged cyber stalking punishable under section 24 (1)(b) of the cyber crime (prohibition, prevention, ETC) Act,2015 (As ammended) 2024 and upon conviction is 10 years and N 25 Million and same triable at the Federal High Court, arguing that the court has the power to remand the accused while awaiting the DPP advice and/or arraignment at the High Court.
Magistrate, Stanley Ekeru, in his ruling, ordered that the accused Mr. Aye Egberi, be remanded in the Medium Correctional Prison in Okaka while awaiting further police investigation on the charges brought against him.
