Journalist charged with cybercrime offence over report on Ebonyi lawmaker

Monday, November 10, 2025 - The Nigeria Police Force has filed a five-count charge dated October 8, against Alefia Friday, a journalist and the publisher of the online news platform Naija News Today (formerly Asiwaju Media), over alleged cybercrime offences involving a lawmaker who represents Ezza South/Ikwo Federal Constituency of Ebonyi State in the House of Representatives, Chinedu Ogah.

Alefia was reportedly arrested on September 23, 2025 in Lagos by operatives of the Intelligence Response Team of the Police and transferred to Abuja, where he has since been detained at the facility of the defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad GT.

His arrest followed a publication allegedly criticising the lawmaker’s performance in office.

Since his arrest and continued detention, efforts by Alefia’s family to secure his release on bail have reportedly failed, despite concerns over his deteriorating health.

Alefia is scheduled to appear before Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja for arraignment on a five-count cybercrime charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/53/2025.

The charge which was sighted by our correspondent on Sunday, lists Alefia Friday James as the first defendant, and Asiwaju Media Company Ltd as the second defendant, with the Commissioner of Police as the complainant.

In count one, the police accuses Alefia and his company of conspiracy, alleging that they used computer systems—specifically social media platforms such as Facebook—to make false publications, in violation of Section 27 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024, and punishable under Section 24(2)(c)(ii) of the same Act.

Count two alleges that the defendants published a false report titled “How Federal Lawmaker Ogah Snatches Village Land in Ebonyi”, knowing it to be untrue—an offence contrary to Section 24(2)(a) and punishable under Section 24(2)(c)(i) of the Act.

Count three accuses Alefia of cyberstalking by publishing another allegedly false statement on Facebook, quoting Ogah as saying: “I rigged senatorial poll against Emmanuel Onwe.”

Count four references a publication titled “Ebonyi Rep Member Returns #4 Million Amidst Extortion Allegations,” which the police also claim to be false.

Count five concerns another alleged false statement: “Ebonyi Rep Member Threatens Constituent for Supporting Charity Foundation.”

All charges, according to the prosecution, contravene Section 24(2)(a) and are punishable under Section 24(2)(c)(i) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.

The arraignment of the defendants is fixed for Wednesday, November 12, 2025.