The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the detention of a blogger, Stanley Ugagbe, in Kuje Prison, after charging him with allegedly defaming Emem Usoro, a Deputy Governor in charge of Operations at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Courts & Judiciary
Ugagbe was remanded shortly after his arraignment today on six charges by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) before Justice Salim Ibrahim, The Nation reported.
It is stated that Ugagbe and Fejiro Oliver (a.k.a. Oghenetega Oghenedoro) who is said to be at large, published on their web platform: “www.SecretReporters.com” sometime in 2026.
They were said to have published on the website, “Adulterous Woman: How CBN Deputy Governor Emem Usoro turned side chic, paraded self as man’s wife, destroyed couple’s union.”
The publication was “falsely and intentionally made for the purpose of harming the hard earned reputation of CBN Deputy Governor Emem Usoro”, the prosecution stated, in contravention of Section 24(2)(c) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act, 2015 (as amended) 2024.
Ugagbe pleaded not guilty when the accusation was read to him and the prosecuting counsel, K.P. Ebong asked for a trial date.
Adekunle Olanipekun, the defence lawyer, told the court that the defendant had filed a bail application which he was ready to move subject to the convenience of the court. Courts and the Judiciary
The judge said he had been served with the application only recently and needed time to answer, stating he had not yet had time to read it.
Crime & Justice Crime Justice Ibrahim then called a break till September 24 for the trial.
The judge ordered the prosecution to secure the presence of all its witnesses in court on the next adjourned date.
Count two said that Ugagbe of Hon Emeka Ahakaghuan Avenue, Jikwoji, Phase 1, Abuja and Oliver (now at large) published on the website that ‘CBN Deputy Governor Emem Nana Usoro hides N1.4 Billion California Luxury Condo in Asset Declaration Scandal.
Police said the publication was a fake designed to disrupt law and order.
The defendants published on their website, ‘www.secretReporteis.com’, that ‘CBN Deputy Governor Emem Usoro linked to N3.6 BN Los Angeles Property despite doubts over Asset Declaration Compliance’ which was the third alleged publication
The prosecution alleged the publication was created purposely to bully, threaten or harass the person of Usoro.
The defendants were said to have published a publication in count five on their website which read, “Adulterous Woman: How CBN Deputy Governor Emem Usoro turned side chic, paraded herself as man’s wife, destroyed couple’s union.”
The police said the act contravenes Section 391 and is punishable under Section 392 of the Penal Code Act, among others.
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