Police arraign Bayelsa-based journalist for alleged defamatory Facebook post

Nathan Tamarapreye, Yenagoa

The Police in Bayelsa State, on Monday, arraigned a Bayelsa-based journalist, Mr Nengi Owei-Ilagha before the Federal High Court in Yenagoa for allegedly making defamatory posts against Mr Emmanuel Chiefson on Facebook.

Chiefson, is a member of the Police Community Relations Committee in the state.

Owei-Īlagha, an author and broadcast journalist, was a speech writer to two former governors of Bayelsa State and former General Manager, Bayelsa State Broadcasting Corporation.

The Commissioner of Police, Mr Ben Okolo filed three counts referenced No FHC/YNG/88C/2022 before Justice Emmanuel Gakko.

The defendant Owei-Ilagha, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

His Counsel Godfrey Otiotio moved an application for bail as the defendant earlier granted administrative bail by the police was ready to present himself for trial.

Speaking on the application, Mr M.Y. Benabo, prosecuting counsel noted that although he was not opposing the bail, the court should urge the defendant from making comments on social media that could prejudice the outcome of the case.

Also, defence counsel Otiotio pledged that he will not make comments in the media as it would amount to prejudice and would advise his client to do the same.

Ruling on the bail application, the trial judge admitted the media practitioner to bail of N1 million and one surety preferably the same surety as the administrative bail earlier granted by the police.

Gakko noted that the media has played and continue to play positive roles in society but harped that it is unlawful for the media to pre-empt the outcome of cases before the judiciary.