Delta ‘Take It Back’ Coordinator, Aghogho Appears In Court, Pleads ‘Not Guilty’ To Charges

Human rights activist and Delta ‘Take It Back' Coordinator, Ighorhiohwunu Aghogho has pleaded ‘not guilty' to charges of cyberstalking preferred against him by the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami.

In what appears to be a ploy to buy time, the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, SAN on July 21, 2022, filed charges in defence of former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Ibrahim Tanko Mohammed (retired), former Chief Judge of Delta State, Justice Marshal Umukoro (retired), Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Ari Mohammed Ali, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs, Mrs Oghenekevwe Agas, former Director Child Development, Delta State Ministry of Women Affairs, Mr Fred Ugheni and the President of a purported NGO, one Joshua Omorere, who were accused of child trafficking and conspiracy in trafficking thousands of children from Delta State.

Aghogho who entered the dock around 12:45 pm pleaded not guilty to 6 counts of cyberstalking in a case titled ‘Federal Government of Nigeria  Vs. Ighorhiohwunu Aghogho' with charge number FHC/WR/92C/2022.

“I understand the charges against me, but I am not guilty, My Lord,” Aghogho responded to Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court in Warri.

The charge sheet dated 21/7/2022 bordering on the offence of cyberstalking and posting of information claimed to be false on Facebook by the police, was said to contravene the provisions of the Cybercrime Act 2015.

As sighted by SaharaReporters, it was signed by P. N Etumudon, Esq from the office of the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Abuja and slated for plea on October 12, 2022,   at the Federal High Court in Warri.

The court subsequently became furious with the prosecution counsel, Mrs Aikpokpo-Martins when she applied for a December adjournment date immediately after the Defendant took a plea in order for the prosecution to open their case. The response of the counsel for the defendant, Ifeanyi Agba Esq who held brief for U.G. Ehirim Esq propelled the court to overrule the prosecution counsel and thus adjourn for October 24, 25, 26 and 27, 2022 for accelerated hearing. It affirmed the argument of the defendant's counsel that the witnesses are not bigger than the court.

If it were humanly possible for the prosecution to arraign the defendant, it should be humanly possible for the prosecution to commence their case, Justice Abang added.

Meanwhile, a decision was made on the the bail application in suit FHC/WR/CS/51/2022 filed by lawyers supported by Legal Aid, Citizens Gravel Foundation for Social Justice for the release of Aghogho.

In dismissing the application, Justice Okon Abang affirmed that the detention of Aghogho was indeed unlawful since the life span of the remand order confining Aghogho to the Federal Custodial Centre (Prison) in Ogwashi-Uku, issued by the Chief Magistrate P. U. Nsolo (Mrs) of the Magistrate Court 1 Asaba has since lapsed and was not renewed after 14 days. He added that the Federal High Court lacks jurisdiction to entertain the application.

SaharaReporters had reported that the bail application was argued contentiously on July 21, 2022.

A cost of N100,000 was awarded against the applicant's counsel, U.G. Ehirim Esq for his failure to withdraw the application before the judgement, even with the hint of the court that the Federal High Court does not have jurisdiction over an order given by a Magistrate Court.

One of the lawyers representing Aghogho, Bar. Ifeanyi Agba, told SaharaReporters after the court sitting that they will bring a written bail application before the court on the next adjourned date.