The High Court of Justice of the Federal Capital Territory, sitting in Apo, Abuja, has stopped the trial of the Spokesperson of the Coalition for United Political Parties, CUPP, Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere.
Justice Binta Mohammed of the court granted an application by Ugochinyere to stop his trial at an Abuja Chief Magistrate Court.
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The court restrained the Wuse Chief Magistrate Court from going ahead with the trial of a case of criminal defamation brought against him by the Inspector- General of Police after a complaint by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila and the Clerk of the National Assembly.
On 22nd June, 2020, the CUPP Spokesperson was arraigned before the Wuse Zone 2 Chief Magistrate Court in Charge No. CR/12/2020 on allegations of criminal defamation following the report of the Speaker and the Clerk of the National Assembly.
By this ruling of the FCT High Court, the charges have been quashed and the trial terminated as the High court has held that the chief Magistrate acted Mala fidei, without jurisdiction beyond her jurisdiction.
The Court also directed the defendants, whether by themselves or acting jointly or through their agents, prohibiting them from further conducting any hearing or proceedings against the Claimant/Applicant in the matter of Commissioner of Police v. Ikeagwuonu Imo Ugochinyere – Charge No:CR/12/2020 before the Chief Magistrate’s Court, Wuse Zone 2, Abuja or on any facts constituting the same subject matter as the case/Charge.
In his response to the judicial victory, the CUPP Spokesperson thanked God “for the grace to survive the onslaught against him and also praised the judge for acts of rare courage in delivering such judgment.”
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