- The charges, filed by the Inspector General of Police under the Cyber Crimes Act 2015 and the Criminal Code Act, include conspiracy to commit cyberstalking and defamation
A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Ward Chairman in Delta State has appeared in court over allegations of cyberstalking and defamation.
Illoba Obata, who serves as the PDP Ward 2 Chairman in Ogwashi-Uku, Aniocha South Local Government Area, was brought before the Federal High Court in Asaba after being accused of targeting the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku in an online campaign.
The charges, filed by the Inspector General of Police under the Cyber Crimes Act 2015 and the Criminal Code Act, include conspiracy to commit cyberstalking and defamation. According to the prosecution, Obata and others, who remain at large, allegedly conspired to harass the Obi through a series of social media posts between July and August 2023.
One key allegation centres on a video shared on social media, reportedly showing a murder suspect being mistreated at the Obi’s palace. The video was said to have been made to “expose the Obi and Chief Gabriel Ohai to public ridicule,” in violation of Section 24(2)(a) of the Cyber Crimes Act.
Obata also faces charges of conspiracy to defame, with the prosecution alleging that he sought to damage the Obi’s reputation. These actions, the charge sheet claims, were designed to bring the traditional ruler into disrepute, which is an offence under Section 517 of the Criminal Code Act.
The court has granted Obata bail, though he is yet to fulfil the conditions for his release.
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