A Magistrates’ Court in Owerri, Imo State, has remanded prominent journalist Chinonso Uba, widely known as NonsoNkwa, in the Owerri Correctional Centre following allegations of cyberstalking, incitement, and other serious charges. The court denied him bail during a session on Wednesday.
Uba was brought before Chief Magistrate Adikaibe, facing five counts filed by N.S. Onwochie, a Legal Prosecution Officer representing the Imo State Police Commissioner. The charges include conspiracy, treason, and arson.
During the arraignment, the prosecution presented their case, while a team of lawyers, including C.K. Mgbekonye Esq., E.T. Okolie Esq., F.N. Obisike Esq., O.F. Olegeme Esq., and E.N. Nwaibari Esq., defended Uba. However, the court ruled that it lacked jurisdiction to hear the charges, preventing Uba from entering a plea.
Lead counsel Mgbekonye applied for bail, citing Section 36(5) of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, arguing that the alleged offences fell within the court’s discretionary powers regarding bail. The prosecution countered, referencing Section 93(1) of the Imo State Administration of Criminal Justice Law, which stipulates that only the High Court has the authority to grant bail for these charges.
Ultimately, the court declined the bail application, ordering Uba’s remand at the Owerri Correctional Centre and instructing the defense to seek bail at the High Court. The case has been adjourned to November 11, 2024, for the Directorate of Public Prosecution’s report and for the case file to be transmitted to the High Court.
Uba’s arrest on October 20 occurred near Teachers House along the Owerri-Port Harcourt Road, following a petition concerning viral videos that allegedly contained inflammatory remarks. These videos reportedly pertained to the September 30, 2024, arson incident at the National Open University (NOUN) Study Center in Nsu, Ehime Mbano LGA.
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