From CHARLES ONYEKWERE, ABAKALILI
Ebonyi State Magistrate Court sitting in Abakaliki on Monday remanded a 24-year-old man (popularly known as Prophet Ubadinma) in a correctional facility over allegations on defamation of character; attempted murder, malicious damage, stealing; arson, among others.
It was gathered that the suspect, who was alleged to have been in the habit of reeling out fake prophecies, committed the offences at Offianka Inyima, Agharaoza, Affiauku and Ochiohu Inyegu villages in Izzi and Ikwo Local Government Areas in 2020, 2023, 2024 and 2025 respectively.
The accused allegedly prophesized that an Ogun State-based businessman, Emeka Mgbore (popularly known as EmmyBest) was a ritualist and circulated a video of the said ‘fake’ prophecy on various social media platforms.
The development, our correspondent gathered, led to varying degrees of attacks on the Ebonyi-born entrepreneur and looting of his shops by an angry mob in Ogun State.
It was equally alleged that the ‘prophet’s inciting utterances and misdemeanor exposed the character of Linus Uguru, Njoku Iziogo and others to ridicule and defamation at Offianka Inyima village in Izzi Local Government Area.
He was arraigned in court by the Ebonyi State Police Command on four different cases comprising 16 count charges bothering on attempted murder, arson, stealing, defamation of character, malicious damage, among others.
His lead counsel, Emeka Anosike pleaded with the court to grant him bail, maintaining that they are bailable and do not constitute serious harm to the defendants.
The police prosecutor, ASP Lilian Aliede opposed the bail plea, arguing that the offences are serious and unsettling on the complainants’ image.
For the matter on defamation of character, she told the court that the offences are punishable under Sections 517 of the Criminal Code, Cap. 33 and 373(a) Criminal Code Cap.33 Vols. 1 Laws of Ebonyi State of Nigeria, 2009.
The Magistrate, Mrs Sandra Ifeanyi-Oyibe granted the suspect bail on the two cases over defamation of character in the sum of N2,000,000 each with two sureties who must be resident within the jurisdiction of the court.
According to her, the sureties should show evidence of tax clearance for three years.
The charges reads: “That you, Ubadinma Nwebonyi ‘M’ and others now at large on January 10, 2023 at Offianka Inyima, in the jurisdiction of this honourable court did conspire amongst yourselves to commit misdemeanor to wit: defamation of character and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 517 of the Criminal Code Cap. 33, Vol. 1 Laws of Ebonyi State of Nigeria, 2009.
“That you, Ubadinma Nwebonyi ‘M’ and others now at large on July 28 at Offiauku village, in the aforementioned Magisterial District did defame the character of Emeka Mgbore ‘M’ by verbally saying that he is a ritualist which you know to be false and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 373(a) of the Criminal Code Cap 33, Vol. 1 Laws of Ebonyi State of Nigeria, 2009.”
Mrs Ifeanyi-Oyibe adjourned the two matters till September 15 and 16 for hearing.
For the other two matters bordering on attempted murder, arson, malicious damage, stealing, among others, the suspect was not granted bail.
The magistrate said her court lacked the jurisdiction to adjudicate on them.
She, therefore, directed that the case files be transferred to the office of the Director of Public Prosecution, DPP, for report of compliance.
She adjourned till September 15 and 16 respectively.
