A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Tuesday held that Chinonso Uba, who is on trial for cybersecurity crime, has a case to answer.
The ruling followed an application by Uba’s counsel challenging the jurisdiction of the court to hear the matter following an Ecowas court judgment that earlier held that cyber crime is no longer an enforceable offence.
But in his ruling, Justice Obiora Egwuatu of Court 10 of the federal High Court declared that the ruling of the Ecowas Court is not binding on the federal High Court.
He held that contrary to the submission of the defence, Chinonso Uba did commit a crime known to the law and the constitution.
The court further held that the fact that the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge meant he knew exactly the offence he was being charged for .
Justice Egwuatu ruled that the right to fair hearing of the defendant was not violated, and therefore, he has a case to answer .
The judge subsequently adjourned the matter to February 18,19 and 20th for continuation of trial.
The police in charge No: FHC/ABJ/CR/367/2023 between Inspector General of Police vs Chinonso Uba told the court that Uba’s offense contravenes the Cyber Crime Prohibition Act.
The charges read: “Count One: That you CHINONSO UBA ‘m’ of on or about the 24th day of June 2023 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court intentionally sent a message by means of computer and social media networks such as Facebook etc, made a video accusing Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State and Asari Dokubo (sic) killed 100 (hundred) of Imo Youth and also burning houses in Imo State, with the intention of instigating Imo State people and Igbo Tribe worldwide against the Governor knowing the said information to be false and with intent to cause annoyance, inconvenience, danger, obstruction, insult, injury, criminal intimidation, enmity, hatred, ill will or needless anxiety to him and thereby committed an offense contrary and punishable under Section 24 (1) (B) Cyber Crime Prohibition Act.
“Count two: That you CHINONSO UBA ‘m’ of on or about the 24th day of June 2023 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, knowingly and intentionally made and transmitted a video via your Facebook social media handle and or any communication through a computer system or network with the intention to bully, threaten or harass the Governor of Imo State Hope Uzodinma, that he and Asari Dokubo killed 100 (Hundred) of Imo Youths and also burned their houses with the intention of instigating the youth against him and such communication places him in fear of death, violence or bodily harm to him and members of his family and thereby committed an offence contrary to 24 (2) (A) and punishable under Section 24 (2) (C) of the CyberCrime Prohibition Act.
