An Owerri Magistrate Court has granted bail to Imo-based journalist and publisher of First Citizen Newspaper, Ejike Ogbonna, after he spent 30 days in detention at the Tiger Base police unit over alleged cybercrime charges.
The presiding Magistrate, C. J. Uzoechi, ruled that the charges were bailable and fixed bail at ₦2 million.
Naija News understands that part of the bail conditions includes providing a surety with proof of ownership of landed property within the jurisdiction of the court, as well as a traditional ruler to endorse the bail bond.
Ogbonna, who was brought to court in handcuffs, is facing a four-count charge bordering on alleged cyberbullying.
The journalist is accused of allegedly defaming Special Adviser to the Imo State Governor on Compliance, Chinasa Nwaneri, through a voice note circulated on social media.
The matter has been adjourned to October 3, 2025, for hearing.
Media practitioners in the state have described Ogbonna’s arrest and prolonged detention as an attack on press freedom.
They urged the Imo State Commissioner of Police to call his men to order and ensure that law enforcement officers are not used by politicians or government officials to intimidate citizens.
Meanwhile, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has demanded the immediate and unconditional release of Hassan Mai-Waya Kangiwa, a journalist detained in Kebbi State after publishing a viral video showing the deplorable state of facilities at the Kangiwa General Hospital.
ADC spokesperson, Bolaji Abdullahi, in a statement on Wednesday via his verified 𝕏 handle, accused the APC-led Kebbi State Government of attempting to silence accountability journalism instead of addressing the rot in the healthcare system.
“We call on the Kebbi State Government to immediately release Hassan and respect the fundamental rights of journalists to report the truth,” Abdullahi said.
He added that the party would continue to circulate the video until Kangiwa regains his freedom and the government fixes the health sector failures highlighted.
Naija News learnt that Kangiwa was detained allegedly on the orders of Governor Nasiru Idris after his footage, which showed patients lying on bare metal beds without mattresses, sparked public outrage on social media.
A human rights advocate, Dan Bello, who joined hundreds of Nigerians in reaction, described the arrest as “a new wave of tyranny,” insisting it was a calculated attempt to gag journalists and intimidate citizens from speaking out.
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