DSS arraigns teenager for circulating Perm Sec (rtd) nude video in Bayelsa

Nathan Tamarapreye, Yenagoa

The Department of State Services (DSS) on Monday arraigned a teenager (name withheld for age considerations) at the Federal High Court, Yenagoa for circulating the nude video of Dr Walton Liverpool, a retired Permanent Secretary in Bayelsa State Ministry of Education.

According to one count of cyberstalking, the defendant made and circulated a nude video of Liverpool on a WhatsApp group and social media after an unsuccessful attempt to extort N15 million from Liverpool.

The defendant had allegedly recorded the video when she and Liverpool met at a hotel in Yenagoa and demanded for N15 million.

The DSS said the defendant had on September 14 made and circulated nude images of the retired permanent secretary and circulated same on the social media contrary to the Cybercrimes Prohibition Act of 2015.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges as her counsel, Andrew Arthur, applied for her bail have been in DSS custody for 13 days.

Arguing the bail application, Arthur told the hearing that the defendant had earlier been arraigned for criminal defamation and granted bail by a Bayelsa State High Court but regretted that the DSS declined to release her on bail and chose to approach the Federal High Court.

In opposing the bail application, the prosecution counsel, Mr Victor Uchendu, said that he was served the bail application in the court room and needed time to study it and respond to issues raised therein.

The trial Judge, Justice I.H Ndahen, remanded the defendant at the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Yenagoa until October 21 to hear the bail application following the request of prosecution to study the application for possible grounds to oppose it.