(Stanley Ugagbe. Photo by Nigeria Stories)
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered that blogger Stanley Ugagbe be remanded in Kuje Prison following his arraignment on charges of defaming Emem Usoro, the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) Deputy Governor overseeing Operations.
Justice Salim Ibrahim gave the remand order shortly after Ugagbe was arraigned on Tuesday over a six-count charge filed by the Inspector General of Police (IGP).
Ugagbe, alongside Fejiro Oliver also known as Oghenetega Oghenedoro and said to currently be evading arrest allegedly published a piece on their website, www.SecretReporters.com, sometime in 2026, titled “Adulterous Woman: How CBN Deputy Governor Emem Usoro turned side chic, paraded herself as man’s wife, destroyed couple’s union.”
According to the prosecution, the publication was deliberately and falsely put out to damage Usoro’s hard-earned reputation, in violation of Section 24(2)(c) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act, 2015, as amended in 2024.
When the charge was read out to him, Ugagbe entered a not-guilty plea, after which prosecuting counsel K.P. Ebong requested that a trial date be fixed.
Defence counsel Adekunle Olanipekun informed the court that his client had already filed a bail application, which he indicated he was prepared to move at the court’s convenience.
The judge, however, noted that he had only just been served with the application and would need time to review it before responding. He also directed the prosecution to have all its witnesses present in court on the next adjourned date.
The second count alleges that Ugagbe of Hon Emeka Ahakaghuan Avenue, Jikwoji, Phase 1, Abuja and the still-at-large Oliver published a report on the same website claiming, “CBN Deputy Governor Emem Nana Usoro hides N1.4 Billion California Luxury Condo in Asset Declaration Scandal.”
Police said this publication was fabricated with the intent of triggering a breakdown of law and order.
A third count accuses the pair of publishing on their platform that “CBN Deputy Governor Emem Usoro linked to N3.6 BN Los Angeles Property amidst questions over Asset Declaration Compliance,” which the prosecution said was published with intent to bully, threaten, or harass Usoro.
The fifth count repeats the earlier allegation involving the publication titled “Adulterous Woman: How CBN Deputy Governor Emem Usoro turned side chic, paraded herself as man’s wife, destroyed couple’s union,” with police stating that this offence contravenes Section 391 and is punishable under Section 392 of the Penal Code Act, among other counts levelled against the defendants.