An Imo State based-journalist, publisher of First Citizen Newspaper, Ejike Ogbonna has been granted bail by a Magistrate Court sitting in Owerri with the sum of N2 million, after 30 days incarceration at Tiger base police unit on an alleged cyber crime against a government official.
According to our correspondent, other bail conditions include the provision of a surety who must show proof of ownership of a landed property within the jurisdiction of the court and a traditional ruler to endorse the bail bond.
The Presiding Magistrate, C. J. Uzoechi, who granted the bail application of the journalist, noted that the matter is a bailable offense.
The case was later adjourned to October 3, 2025 for hearing.
According to our correspondent, the embattled journalist, who was brought to court in handcuffs, is standing trial on a four-count charge bordering on alleged cyber bullying.
He is accused of defaming the Special Adviser to the State Governor on Compliance, Chinasa Nwaneri through a voice note allegedly circulated via social media.
Journalists in the State have reacted to the development, saying that it is an attack on media practitioners.
They called on the State Police Commissioner to warn officers of the Command to resist the temptation of being used by Government officials against citizens.