A Magistrate Court in Ebonyi State has ordered the remand of Polycap Obinna Alegu, a social media commentator, following allegations that he published defamatory statements against the State’s Secretary to the Government, Prof. Grace Umezurike.
Alegu, 36, faced a two-count charge before Magistrate Sandra Ifeanyi‑Onyibe on Monday, January 12, 2026.
Prosecutors allege that on December 16, 2025, he posted false and malicious comments on social media platforms, in breach of the Criminal Code Act and the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act 2024.
In his defence, Alegu claimed that his accounts had been hacked and that the incriminating posts were not authored by him.
His lawyer, Sunday Ununu, questioned the authority of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to prosecute the matter without clearance from the Attorney-General of the Federation.
The court, however, affirmed that the NSCDC is empowered to file such cases on the AGF’s behalf.
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A bail application presented by the defence was opposed by the NSCDC, which argued that the magistrate court lacked jurisdiction over the substantive issues.
Magistrate Ifeanyi‑Onyibe observed a prima facie case and declined to rule on bail, noting that the jurisdictional questions should be addressed by a higher court.
The court instructed that the case file be forwarded to the Department of Public Prosecution in the Ebonyi State Ministry of Justice and adjourned proceedings to Monday, January 26, 2026, for further directives.