Creator of false skit against Governor Otti and Aba Ngwa people fired
A man simply identified as MC Sweet who made a fake online post claiming that the Aba Ngwa indigenous people tried to stop Julius Berger from constructing the Port Harcourt Road in Aba, was arraigned before a magistrate court in Aba, Abia State. He was arraigned.
In a fake post, the online skit creator claimed that Governor Alex Otti invited Aba Ngwa elders and youths to Umuahia for a peace conference where he (Governor Otti) ordered the indigenes to be confined. He also claimed that he had done so.
The false and controversial post, which created a sensation in the state last week, was immediately denied by the Abia State Government through its Special Assistant on Special Liaison to the Governor, Mr. Dodo Okafor.
Additionally, the Aba Gwa People’s Forum, led by Mr. Chimezie Nwagba (President) and Mr. Chinedu Afluonye (Secretary General), issued a communiqué denying the report and calling for the exposure of those behind the fake posts.
He further said he would never interfere with the Port Harcourt road contract or other projects in the state.
However, the person who made the post was later arrested by the police and charged in Aba Governorate with attempting to defame members of the Aba Gwa People's Forum.
According to the indictment read out by Prosecutor Mary N. Udorji, the MC said he made defamatory posts in Aba Administrative Region, and his crimes are listed under Section 375, Chapter 80, Volume 80 of the Penal Code. He pointed out that he could be punished accordingly. Nigeria Abia State Laws 111, 2005.
The charges accused MC Sweet of trying to damage the reputation of the Aba Ngwa people, ridicule them and expose them to hatred.
The defendant, who apologized to the Aba Gwa People's Forum for his harmful posts on social media, sought bail so that he could make another post to debunk his earlier post.
He was granted bail by Chief Justice Elinma Enyeribe and the case was adjourned until February 29, 2024.
However, it has not been confirmed whether MC Sweet will be able to meet his bail conditions on Friday.
Azubuike Osondu Ocheze, a Ngwa land elder, reacted by saying the post was an attempt to defame the Ngwa people.
Labor leader Mike Evans also said Governor Alex Otti was further vindicated and advised young people not to abuse the social media space.
Source: dailypost.ng