Court remand APC Social Media head in Bayelsa prison for 30 days over alleged cyber stalking

By: Odie Ramon, Yenagoa.

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 O.S 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 master mind behind the July abduction of the State High Court Judge, Justice Ebiyerim Umokoro.

Mr. Aye O.S 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.

Aye O.S 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 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 Aye O.S 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 Gov, 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 ”

During the arguments between the Police Prosecution Counsel, Japhet .O.Japhet Esq 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 that this honourable court has the power to remand the accused while awaiting the DPP advice and/or arraignment at the High Court.

While the arguement between the Police Counsel and the Defence Counsel, C.S.Christian Esq was going on, the State Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC) Barr. Dennis Otiotio walked into the court and his presence was made known to the court.

The prosecution counsel, Japheth .O.Japhet Esq, quickly cautioned that the court is not the gathering of political parties for such introduction while the Presiding magistrate was writing his ruling on the arguments from both counsel. The caution however attracted strong scolding of the defence team by the Presiding magistrate.

Magistrate, Stanley Ekeru, in his ruling, ordered that the accused Mr. Aye Egberi, is remanded in the Medium Correctional Prison in Okaka while awaiting further police investigation on the charges brought against him.