Posted by Gyenger Paul, a social media activist from Benue, was remanded in prison detention on Thursday for alleged defamation.
He was accused of making derogatory remarks about the Reverend Fr. Hyacinth Alia, the governor of the state, on his Facebook page.
TK Attah, the trial magistrate, denied the activist’s oral bail plea due to a lack of jurisdiction and remanded him to jail.
The Governor’s office filed charges against Gyenger for cyberstalking, criminal defamation, and hurtful lying.
Gyengyer’s arrest has sparked significant outcry across the state, with many well-intentioned citizens demanding his immediate and unrestricted release.
His attorney Clement Mue made an oral bail application, but it was denied. They are now exploring all legal alternatives to get his freedom.
The BANKPAWA reports that on Friday, August 25th, 2023, Gyengyer was arrested at his home in Gyado Villa, Makurdi, because of a Facebook post he made on August 18th, 2023, in which he claimed that the Governor of Benue State had stolen N2 billion (about $400,000) of the N5 billion in palliatives that had been sent to the state by the federal government.
He further claimed that the governor had spent some of the money on finishing his lavish residence in Guzape, Abuja.
You may also recall that Mr. Gyeng8yer has filed a N200 million lawsuit against Governor Hyacinth Alia, several police officers, and the Attorney General of Benue State for his alleged unjust detention related to a story on his Facebook page.
His legal team intends to petition a Federal High Court with authority over the matter to release him on bail.