A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory has ordered the remand of a member of the House of Representatives, Amobi Godwin Ogar, at the Kuje Correctional Centre, Abuja, over allegations of criminal defamation and false declaration.
Justice Yusuf Halilu issued the committal order after the federal lawmaker, who represents Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency of Abia State, was arrested and brought before the court.
According to a warrant of commitment dated June 24, Ogar is to remain in custody until July 6, 2026, when the matter is expected to resume.
The lawmaker is standing trial in Charge No. CR/650/2024 on a five-count charge filed by the Federal Government on July 31, 2024.
The warrant, titled Warrant of Commitment to Prison, directed the officer in charge of Kuje Correctional Centre to receive and detain the lawmaker until further order of the court.
It reads in part, “Whereas the above-named person has been arrested and brought before me, accused of the offences of criminal defamation and false declaration, you are hereby authorised and required to receive him and detain him in custody until further order.”
The court further directed that if no further order is made before July 6, 2026, the lawmaker should be produced before it by a police officer for further directives.
In the charge, the prosecution alleged that sometime in May 2023, Ogar made a false declaration in an affidavit deposed to at the registry of the FCT High Court, Abuja, against Nkeiruka Chidubem Onyejeocha, then Minister of State for Labour and Employment.
The prosecution alleged that the lawmaker claimed in the affidavit dated May 18, 2023, that Onyejeocha told her supporters during a meeting at her residence that she had “bought over” tribunal judges, particularly Justice Halima Saleeman.
The alleged offence, according to the charge, is contrary to Section 164 of the Penal Code, Cap. 89, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 1963, and punishable under Section 158(2) of the same Act.
In another count, Ogar was accused of making a false and defamatory declaration in the same affidavit by alleging that Onyejeocha influenced the removal of the former chairman of a panel, Justice Halilu, to pave the way for Justice Halima Saleeman, whom she allegedly knew personally and who would allegedly deliver judgment in her favour.
The prosecution maintained that the statement was false and constituted an offence contrary to Section 391 of the Penal Code and punishable under Section 392 of the same law.
Count five of the charge alleged that Ogar, 44, made the false declaration with intent to damage Onyejeocha’s reputation, causing harm to her reputation, contrary to Section 393 of the Penal Code.
The matter is expected to continue on July 6, 2026.
Source:https:dailypost.ng