A Makurdi Chief Magistrates’ Court Taking Action Against Suspect for Defaming the Governor of Benue State
A 35-year-old defendant, Paul Gyenger, has been remanded in a correctional facility for allegedly defaming the Governor of Benue State, Hyacinth Alia. According to reports, Gyenger used social media to make a damaging accusation against the Governor, claiming that he is a “chronic womanizer.”
Gyenger, a resident of Makurdi, has been charged with cyberstalking and defamation of character. In court, the case did not proceed to a plea hearing, and the magistrate instead adjourned the matter until December 17 for further mention.
The prosecution counsel, Insp. Godwin Ato, presented evidence of the allegations. According to Ato, the case was reported to the police by the Governor’s ADC, ASP Ver Ingyatu on October 16, 2024. Gyenger was subsequently arrested following an investigation by the police.
Ato explained that the suspect had used a Facebook account to post an intentionally offensive and defamatory statement about the Governor. Additionally, the suspect used abusive language in the Tiv language to further defame the Governor’s character.
The offense is alleged to have been committed in contravention of the provisions of Section 24 of the Cyber-crimes Act, 2015 and Section 393 of the penal code of Benue, 2004.
