*Remanded Until June 19 For Bail Hearing
THE Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has arraigned 19-year-old blogger, John Surpruchi Nwanorue, before Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa at the Federal High Court, Lagos, on a four-count charge of alleged cyberstalking, bullying and defaming the Chairman of United Bank for Africa Plc (UBA), Tony Elumelu.
When the matter came up on Friday, May 29, the prosecutor, A.G. Obi from the Directorate of Legal Services, FCID, Alagbon in Lagos State, told the court that the defendant, alongside others still at large, claimed in a defamatory publication, that Elumelu had divorced his wife after discovering through DNA tests that none of his seven children belonged to him.
The prosecution added that the defendant published the defamatory article on or about April 5, 2026, and the same was widely disseminated across social media platforms generated massive online engagement, attracting approximately 1.9 million views, over 1,600 reposts, over 6,300 likes and hundreds of saves by users.
She said the defendant’s actions caused Elumelu and his family annoyance, hatred, ill-will, intimidation and reputational damage from the public, while also exposing them to ridicule, thereby contravening Sections 27(1)(b), 24(1)(b) and 24(2)(a) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 (as amended) and Sections 373 and 375 of the Criminal Code Act CAP C38, Laws of the Federation, 2004.
She, therefore, urged the court to order that the charge be read, so that the defendant could take his plea.
When the charge was read to the defendant, he pleaded not guilty.
Following his plea, the prosecution informed the court of its readiness to proceed with the matter, saying she had received a motion for bail early that morning and would need time to study the motion and file an appropriate response.
She consequently asked the court to order the remand of the defendant in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Centre, pending the hearing and determination of the bail application.
She also asked the court to set a trial date.
In his submission, the defendant’s Counsel, Anslem Etoh, confirmed the prosecutor’s position, but pleaded for a short adjournment for the hearing of the bail application.
After listening to both parties, Justice Lewis-Allagoa adjourned the matter until June 19, this year, for the hearing of the bail application.
The Judge further ordered the remand of the defendant in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Centre, pending the hearing and determination of the bail application.
