Eight PDP chieftains arraigned for defamation of character

Eight chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Nnewi North local government area of Anambra state have been arraigned before a Magistrate Court 3, Nnewi Anambra state, for alleged criminal conspiracy and character defamation.

A group known as, PDP Stakeholders Forum, in Nnewi North local government area, had approached the court, alleging that some PDP chieftains in the area, Engr. Joseph Ubah, Obinna Oguejiofor, Chinedu Ikemba, Chijojke Ofodile, Moses Anayo, Isaac Uchebuilo, Prince Samben Nwosu and Ernest Ajero, conspired among themselves to criminally defame their characters.

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When the matter came up for hearing at the court, the plaintiffs: Prince Chinedu Orizu, Hon Tempest Udeze, Dr Edwin Chukwuma, Prince Afam Orizu and Chief Eugene Okonkwo Nwizugbe, told the court that the defendants, who were also members of PDP, in Nnewi North local government area, went about in Nnewi, Abuja and other places, calling them criminals, who go about defrauding innocent citizens in the name of the party.

Lead counsel to the plaintiffs, Pascal Ugwuanyi, told the court that the alleged false statements made against his clients injured their reputations and exposed them to hatred, contempt, and had ridiculed them before the public.

He also told the court that the 1st and 7th defendants, Joseph Ubah and Samben Nwosu respectively, could not be served hearing notice, and prayed the court to grant leave to the plaintiffs to effect the service of court process on them through substituted means.

The presiding magistrate, H.C Emekwue, after listening to the matter, ordered that the 1st defendant be served by pasting the notice at a conspicuous place within the court premises; while the 7th defendant, a public servant, should be served through the defendants’ counsel, M.N. Emecheta.

He adjourned the matter until July 21, 2020, for further mention.