Akwa Ibom Police Arraign Social Media Activist Over Alleged Defamation, Threats

Akwa Ibom Police Arraign Social Media Activist Over Alleged Defamation, Threats

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has filed a six-count criminal charge against God’sown Monday Udoito, a female social media activist, over alleged criminal defamation, threats, dissemination of false information, and conduct likely to incite a breach of public peace.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, disclosed this on Thursday in a statement issued in Uyo, confirming that the charges were filed at the Akwa Ibom State High Court.

According to the police, the charges followed a petition dated January 10, 2026, alleging that Udoito, through her Facebook account, “Princess God’sown Udoito,” which reportedly has over 20,000 followers, published false, misleading, defamatory, and threatening statements and videos.

Udoito is known as a vocal advocate for the Ekid people, particularly on issues surrounding their ancestral lands in the Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve.

CP Azare said police investigations revealed that the defendant allegedly accused Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, of illegally selling ancestral lands in Eket Local Government Area to private companies and misappropriating the proceeds.

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He added that the online publications were also alleged to contain threatening content, including references to the use of “juju” and ancestral forces, which investigators believe could instill fear, trigger panic, and cause public disorder, especially in Eket and Esit Eket Local Government Areas.

The activist is facing charges bordering on conspiracy to commit criminal defamation, criminal defamation, publication of defamatory material with intent to intimidate, conduct likely to breach public peace, issuing threats capable of disrupting public order, and spreading false information to induce fear and panic.

The police said the alleged offences are contrary to provisions of the Criminal Code Law, Cap. 39, Vol. 2, Laws of Akwa Ibom State, 2022, and the Internal Security and Enforcement Law, Cap. 73, Vol. 4, Laws of Akwa Ibom State, 2022.

While reaffirming the constitutional right to freedom of expression, CP Azare warned that such freedom does not extend to the spread of falsehoods, defamatory material, or threats capable of undermining public peace and security.

He cautioned social media users against abusing online platforms to incite violence or spread unverified information, stressing that such actions would attract the full weight of the law.

The Commissioner assured the public that the case would be diligently prosecuted in line with due process and the rule of law, while also guaranteeing that the rights of the defendant would be fully respected.

Udoito, who pleaded not guilty to all charges, has been remanded in correctional custody pending further court proceedings.

Akwa Ibom Police Arraign Social Media Activist Over Alleged Defamation, Threats