The police has arraigned in court Ibezim Chike Victor, the younger brother of Reportera founder and Editor, Nnamdi Ibezim who published a series of fake news in its news blog in August, 2023 first alleging that the former Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola wrote the judgement for the presidential election petition tribunal judges and then later reporting that the Nigerian army has secured the residence of Mr. Fashola to safeguard him from possible attack from the people over his alleged role in writing judgment for the PEPT to dismiss the petitions filed by both Mr. Peter Obi of the LP and Mr. Atiku Abubakar of the PDP.
Following a petition to the police by Fashola against those linked to the malicious publications, the police swang into action and arrested Mr. Victor Chike Ibezim who was found to be one of the editors of the fake news online medium, Reportera with his elder brother, Nnamdi evading arrest and still at large. The other individual, Jackson Ude, a notorious fake news peddler and blackmailer is still at large in the US.
Mr. Ibezim Chike Victor upon arraignment before the federal High Court in Abuja was charged with a six count charge bordering on criminal conspiracy, cyberstalking, defamation, injurious falsehood, inciting disturbance of public peace and influencing course of justice. Chike’s brother, Mr. Nnamdi Ibezim and Jackson Ude were both slammed with similar charges in absentia.
The charges include the following:
Count 1:
That you Ibezim Chike Victor, male with Jackson Udeh, Nnamdi Emmanuel Ibezim and Reportera.ng (body corporate) now at large on or about 05/08/2023 at Abuja, did commit an illegal Act to wit: criminal conspiracy; when you jointly agreed to publish a defamatory statement of false allegations in your online social media, the reportera.ng news, against His Excellency Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN, CON, without justification, you thereby commit offence punishable under Section 27(1)(b) of the Cyber-crime Prohibition, Prevention Act 2015.
Count 2:
That you Ibezim Chike Victor, male, with Jackson Udeh, Nnamdi Emmanuel Ibezim and Reportera.ng (body corporate) now at large on or about 05/08/2023 at Abuja, did commit illegal Act to wit: Cyber stalking against His Excellency Hon. Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, CON, the immediate past Honourable minister for Works and Housing, false allegation through reportera. ng online news that “Nigeria Army takes siege of his Excellency Fashola’s Abuja residence, restrict movement to and fro the former Minister of Works and Housing, amidst the scare of a possible miscarriage of justice at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT) and with Fashola’s rumoured involvement in drafting a controversial verdict to throw out the case of opposition parties LP and PDP.
That the Nigeria Army has barricaded the Abuja residence of Babatunde Fashola, the immediate past Minister of Works and Housing and Tinubu stooge and close confidant.” That the hatred, ill-will, needless anxiety and criminal intimidation, is being operated by Nnamdi Emmanuel Ibezim with phone number 06146435568, without justification, you thereby commit offence punishable under section 24 (1) (b) of the Cybercrimes Prohibition, Prevention Act 2015.
Count 3:
That you Ibezim Chike Victor, male, with Jackson Udeh, Nnamdi Emmanuel Ibezim and Reportera.ng (body corporate) now at large on or about 05/08/2023 at Abuja, did commit illegal act to wit: injurious falsehood; when you publish in your social media, through the online reportera.ng news, hate and false speeches against his Excellency Hon. Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN, CON, that he drafted a controversial verdict in the case of opposition parties LP and PDP respectfully and that Nigerian Army have taken siege of his Abuja residence, restrict movement to and fro, to tarnish and injure the good image of His Excellency Hon. Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN, CON, without justification, you thereby committed an offence punishable under section 393 of Penal Code law.
Count 4:
That you Ibezim Chike Victor, male, with Jackson Udeh, Nnamdi Emmanuel Ibezim and Reportera.ng (body corporate) now at large on or about 05/08/2023 at Abuja, did commit illegal act to wit: criminal defamation; when you, through the online reportera.ng news, published the above false defamatory statements that his Excellency Hon. Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN, CON, drafted a controversial) verdict, to throw out the case of opposition parties LP and PDP and that the immediate past Minister of Works and Housing and Tinubu’s stooge and close confidant. You published the said online news on your web page X to tarnish the good reputation of His Excellency Hon. Babatunde Raji Fashola as a former Governor of Lagos State and Minister of Federal Republic of Nigeria before the eyes of the public without justification. You thereby commit an offence punishable under Section 392 of the Penal Code law.
Count 5
That you Ibezim Chike Victor, ‘M’ with Jackson Udeh, Nnamdi Emmanuel Ibezim & Reportera.ng body corporate now at large on or about 05/08/2023 at Abuja, did commit illegal act to wit: Influencing cause of justice; when you intentional published defamatory statements against his Excellency Hon. Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN, CON, and the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT) with intend to influence the cause of justice that his Excellency drafted a controversial verdict of the election petition to throw out the case of opposition parties LP and PDP for the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal Panel without justification. You thereby commit offence punishable under Section 182 of the Penal Code law.
Count 6:
That you Ibezim Chike Victor, male, with Jackson Udeh, Nnamdi Emmanuel Ibezim & Reportera.ng body corporate now at large on or about 05/08/2023 at Abuja, did commit illegal act to wit: Inciting disturbance of public peace; when you published a defamatory statement against both his Excellency Hon. Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN, CON, and the Presidential Election Petition Panel, to incite supporters of both LP and PDP parties against the Hon. Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN, CON, and Presidential Election Petition Panel without justification. You thereby commit an offence punishable under section 114 of the Penal Code law.
The case, which is now before Justice Bolaji Olajuwon, has been adjourned till April 15 for continuation of trial.
Reportera on 6th of August, 2023 published the news article reproduced below with a featured image of Mr. Babatunde Fashola and the caption, “Nigerian Army Secures Fashola’s Residence Amidst PEPT Controversy”.
The body of the Reportera publication reads:
“In a surprising turn of events, the Nigerian Army has taken control of Babatunde Fashola’s Abuja residence, limiting movement to and from the former Minister of Works & Housing’s premises. This development comes amidst a backdrop of political tension and speculation regarding Fashola’s alleged involvement in a controversial verdict at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT), which has raised concerns about the potential for a miscarriage of justice.
“Fashola, known for his close ties to political figure Bola Tinubu, has found himself under intense scrutiny in recent days. Rumors have circulated that he played a role in drafting a verdict aimed at dismissing the cases brought forward by opposition parties, LP and PDP, at the PEPT. This move has prompted the Nigerian Army to establish a security presence around Fashola’s residence in Abuja, aiming to ensure his safety during this turbulent period.
“The need for heightened security stems from the fear that if the allegations against Fashola hold any truth, they could spark a significant public outcry and potential unrest among Nigerians. The reports of Fashola’s involvement in the controversial verdict have been met with strong resistance and skepticism from the Nigerian populace. Many reject the claims outright, underscoring the importance of safeguarding Fashola in the face of potential backlash.
“The situation took an interesting turn when Jubril Gawat, the senior special assistant on new media to Lagos State Governor Babatunde Sanwo-Olu, stepped in to challenge the allegations. Gawat took to social media to debunk the assertion that Fashola was present at the Abuja residence, sharing video evidence of Fashola’s attendance at a party organized by former federal lawmaker Senator Gbenga Ashafa in Lagos. The video depicted Fashola wearing a white agbada and a cap, engaged in lively dancing alongside Senator Ashafa, who sported a purple agbada.
“This unexpected twist offers a counterpoint to the narrative surrounding Fashola’s rumored involvement in the controversial verdict. Gawat’s tweets serve as evidence that Fashola was indeed in Lagos at the time, seemingly contradicting the claims that led to the Nigerian Army’s security measures.
“As the political drama continues to unfold, the security measures taken by the Nigerian Army highlight the delicate balance between safeguarding public figures and ensuring justice prevails. The events surrounding Fashola’s Abuja residence underscore the complex nature of Nigeria’s political landscape, where speculation and rumors can give rise to unforeseen consequences.”