Court Remands Journalist Over Alleged Defamation of CBN Deputy Governor

• Federal High Court orders journalist Stanley Ugagbe remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre after arraignment.

• Police accuse defendant of cyberstalking, false publication, cyberbullying and defamation over reports on CBN Deputy Governor Emem Usoro.

• Court adjourns trial until September 24 as bail application awaits hearing.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has remanded journalist Stanley Ugagbe at the Kuje Correctional Centre over allegations of cyberstalking and 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 was arraigned on a six-count charge filed by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP).

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Ugagbe pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

The police also listed Fejiro Oliver, also known as Oghenetega Oghenedoro, who is currently at large, as a co-defendant in the case.

According to the charge, the defendants are accused of cyberstalking, false publication, cyberbullying and defamation, contrary to provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, as amended in 2024, and the Penal Code.

The prosecution alleged that the publications were deliberately made to damage the reputation of the CBN Deputy Governor.

At the commencement of proceedings, prosecution counsel K.P. Ebong informed the court that the matter was scheduled for arraignment and that the prosecution was ready to proceed.

Defence counsel Adekunle Olanipekun did not oppose the application.

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Following Ugagbe’s plea, the prosecution sought a date for trial.

Olanipekun subsequently informed the court that the defence had filed a bail application and was prepared to argue it.

However, Justice Ibrahim noted that the application was not yet before the court.

The defence admitted that the bail application had only recently been filed through the court registry, while the prosecution said it had just been served with the application and intended to respond.

The prosecution argued that the application was not ripe for hearing.

The court subsequently adjourned the matter until September 24, 2026, for trial and directed the prosecution to ensure that all its witnesses are available on the next hearing date.

Among the publications cited in the charge are reports alleging that Usoro concealed ownership of a ₦1.4 billion luxury condominium in California, owned a ₦3.6 billion property in Los Angeles in breach of asset declaration requirements, and an article containing allegations about her personal life and marriage.

The police contend that the publications were false, intended to harass the complainant, and capable of causing a breakdown of law and order.

The case will continue on the adjourned date.