Nigeria: Joe Igbokwe in Contempt Proceeding

Patience Akpuru

16 June 2011

THE Chief Magistrate Court has commenced a contempt proceeding against the Publicity Secretary of Lagos State Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Mr. Joe Igbokwe.

Igbokwe is facing a two count- charge bothering on alleged defamatory article he published in the National Vision Newspapers Vol. 3 No. 129 of Monday, February, 7-21, 2011, at page 36.

In charged number L/47/11, Mr. Igbokwe was alleged to have between February 7th and 21st, 2011 at Surulere in the Lagos Magisterial District published an article in the National Vision entitled “Peter Eriobuna Okeke ‘s death continues to hunt Jonathan Obiajiaku” thereby misrepresenting the proceedings.

Addressing the court, Police Prosecutor, Corporal Okere told the court that the alleged article was a calculated attempt to lower the authority of the presiding magistrate and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 133(4) of the Criminal Code Cap C17 Vol. 11 Laws of Lagos State, 2003.

The charge reads “that you Joe Igbokwe on the same day, place and did publish in the National Vision Newspaper a defamatory article against Chief Magistrate II Mrs. M A Ladipo, COURT 14 Tinubu, Lagos knowing same to be false and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 375 of the Criminal Code Cap C17 Vol. 11 Laws of Lagos State, 2003.”

However, when the charge was read to him, Igbokwe pleaded not guilty and urged the court to admit him on bail.

Ruling o his bail application, the trial magistrate, Senior Magistrate O Kusanu (Mrs.) granted him bail in the sum of N50, 000 and two sureties in like sum.

The court further directed that the sureties must be decent, responsible persons and must be gainfully employed. They must show evidence of tax payment in the last two years and must be resident within the jurisdiction of the court.

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