Court remands journalist over alleged cybercrime involving CBN Deputy Governor

Court remands journalist over alleged cybercrime involving CBN Deputy Governor

A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the remand of Stanley Ugagbe at the Kuje Correctional Centre after he was arraigned on allegations of cybercrime and criminal defamation involving the Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in charge of Operations, Emem Usoro.

Justice Salim Ibrahim issued the remand order on Tuesday after Ugagbe pleaded not guilty to a six-count charge filed against him by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP).

Ugagbe is standing trial alongside Fejiro Oliver, also known as Oghenetega Oghenedoro, who is currently at large and is yet to be arrested by law enforcement authorities.

According to the prosecution, the defendants allegedly published a series of defamatory reports on the online platform SecretReporters.com in 2026, accusing the CBN deputy governor of misconduct and making claims investigators described as false, malicious and capable of damaging her reputation.

One of the reports allegedly carried the headline: “Adulterous Woman: How CBN Deputy Governor Emem Usoro turned side chic, paraded herself as man’s wife, destroyed couple’s union.”

The prosecution alleged that the publication violated Section 24(2)(c) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, as amended in 2024, arguing that the report was knowingly false and intentionally published to injure the reputation of the senior CBN official.

Court documents also alleged that the defendants published another report titled: “CBN Deputy Governor Emem Nana Usoro hides N1.4 Billion California Luxury Condo in Asset Declaration Scandal.”

According to the police, the publication falsely alleged that Usoro concealed ownership of a luxury property in the United States and was capable of causing public unrest by undermining confidence in public institutions.

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The defendants were further accused of publishing another article titled: “CBN Deputy Governor Emem Usoro linked to N3.6BN Los Angeles Property amidst questions over Asset Declaration Compliance.”

The prosecution alleged that the report was deliberately intended to harass, bully and intimidate the CBN deputy governor through the use of a computer network, contrary to the provisions of Nigeria’s amended Cybercrimes Act.

In addition to the cybercrime allegations, the defendants are facing charges under the Penal Code relating to the alleged defamatory publications concerning Usoro’s personal life and integrity.

When the case came up for arraignment, prosecution counsel K.P. Ebong informed the court that the prosecution was ready to proceed with the trial.

Following Ugagbe’s plea of not guilty, the prosecution requested the court to fix a date for trial and urged the judge to make appropriate orders for the case to proceed.

Defence counsel Adekunle Olanipekun informed the court that the defence had filed a bail application and was prepared to move the motion.

Justice Ibrahim, however, observed that the application had only recently been filed and had not yet been brought before the court.

The prosecution opposed the immediate hearing of the application, stating that it had only been served with the motion shortly before proceedings commenced and needed adequate time to file a response.

After listening to both parties, the judge adjourned the matter until September 24, 2026, for the hearing of the bail application and commencement of trial.

Pending the determination of the bail request, Justice Ibrahim ordered that Ugagbe be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre.

The court also directed the prosecution to ensure that all its witnesses are available on the next adjourned date to facilitate a speedy trial.

The case is among the latest high-profile prosecutions under Nigeria’s amended Cybercrimes Act, which prescribes penalties for cyberstalking, the dissemination of false information through digital platforms and other online offences.

Legal analysts say the proceedings could become an important test of the balance between protecting reputations and safeguarding freedom of expression under Nigeria’s cybercrime laws.

Meanwhile, security agencies are continuing efforts to apprehend the second defendant, Fejiro Oliver, who remains at large, so both defendants can stand trial before the Federal High Court.

Court remands journalist over alleged cybercrime involving CBN Deputy Governor