The Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Ward in Ogwashi-Uku, Delta State, Illoba Obata, appeared in court on Monday, facing charges of cyberstalking and defamation. Obata, who holds the position of PDP Ward 2 Chairman in Ogwashi-Uku, Aniocha South Local Government Area, was arrested by law enforcement following allegations of cyberstalking.
According to the charge sheet, the Inspector General of Police is the complainant, and Obata is the defendant. He is accused of orchestrating a campaign to harass and defame the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku. These allegations fall under the provisions of the Cyber Crimes Act of 2015 and the Criminal Code Act.
The alleged offenses include conspiracy to commit cyberstalking, which is a felony. Obata, along with unknown accomplices, is accused of conspiring to engage in cyberstalking between July and August 2023 in Ogwashi-Uku. This offense is charged under Section 27 of the Cyber Crimes Act of 2015.
Another key allegation against Obata is creating and sharing a video on social media, which purportedly shows a suspect, Afamefuna Ubaka, being brought to the Obi’s palace, where he was beaten and mistreated. This video was allegedly intended to expose the Obi and Chief Gabriel Ohai to public ridicule and hatred, in violation of Section 24(2)(a) of the Cyber Crimes Act of 2015.
Obata is also accused of conspiracy to defame the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku, alongside unknown accomplices, who are still at large. The prosecution alleges that this conspiracy, which took place between July and August 2023, sought to damage the reputation of the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku by associating him with actions that would bring disrepute. This offense is punishable under Section 517 of the Criminal Code Act, LFN 2010.
The court has granted Obata bail, but he has yet to meet all the bail conditions.
