An activist, Boniface Okonkwo, has pleaded with the Chief Judge of Anambra State to reassign the defamation case against him from Justice Vincent Agbata to a new judge.

Okonkwo said he no longer has confidence in Justice Agbata of the High Court sitting in Nnewi, Anambra State, after being denied bail.

The activist was arrested on January 3 and has been in detention since then.

Okonkwo’s arrest and detention followed a complaint by businessman Sir Emeka Offor.

Offor alleged he was defamed by the defendant on their Oraifite town’s WhatsApp platform.

The activist was said to have described Offor’s meter manufacturing factory in Anambra as a “decorated warehouse”.

The police denied Offor an administrative bail before charging him.

Although a bailable offence, being a misdemeanour, Justice Agbata denied Okonkwo bail and ordered the commencement of trial.

The defendant said he had reasons to believe that Justice Agbata would not do justice in the case.

In the case transfer application, a copy of which our reporter obtained through court sources, Okonkwo said the judge ordered the commencement of trial in the absence of his lead counsel.

According to him, the case was adjourned for a ruling on his bail application.

“On February 14, my lawyer was not in court. He sent a young lawyer to take the ruling.

“To everybody’s amazement, Justice Agbata said he was suspending the ruling.

“He asked the prosecution to call their witness even when the counsel who stood in for my lawyer said she did not come with the case file,” the defendant wrote.

Okonkwo said on a subsequent date, the judge surprisingly denied him bail.

According to him, the judge’s reason was that he lived in South Africa and as such posed a flight risk.

The activist said the judge ignored his lawyer’s offer to deposit his international passport with the court.

Okonkwo wondered why he would be denied bail for merely criticising Offor’s company, an offence which punishment includes an option of a fine.

He fears there is a plot to ensure he remains behind bars for as long as the trial lasts.

However, this claim could not be independently verified.

“It is only a drunken man who would see a truck approaching and not run for his dear life.

“If this matter is not removed before Justice Agbata, I am already convicted,” Okonkwo wrote.

“I pray that you (Chief Judge) will look into this matter and do justice to it.”

The activist had earlier told reporters who approached him in court that it was not the first time he would be involved in a similar case with Offor.

He said: “This is not the first time I would have issues with the complainant over the same defamation of character.

“I won the previous case he initiated against me. I didn’t jump bail then.

“Aside from being a human rights activist, I’ve positively affected many lives in my community through my NGO, as well as a youth organisation through which many were empowered.

“As a result of these, I was honoured by my community last December. I never lobbied for it.

“This is pure intimidation and trampling on my rights.

“So many people criticise the President daily. How many of them has he sent to jail?”

Okonkwo, who remains in detention, urged the human rights community to come to his aid.

Follow Our WhatsApp Channel _______________________________________________________________________ Groundbreaking Guide For Lawyers: Adigwe Publishes ‘Artificial Intelligence For Lawyers’ With Free Research eBook The book also examines Nigeria's legal ecosystem, focusing on the LPELR and NBA AI Guidelines. As a bonus, every purchase comes with a FREE eBook titled: How to Use the AI Features in LegalPedia and LawPavilion. Ohio Books Ltd praises the publication, stating: "....this is the only Nigerian book I know of on the topic." How to Order: 📞 Call, Text, or WhatsApp: 08034917063 | 07055285878 📧 Email: benadigwe1@gmail.com 🌎 Website: www.benadigwe.com Ebook Version: Access it directly online at https://selar.com/prv626 Authored by Ben Ijeoma Adigwe Esq., ACIarb (UK), LL.M, Dip. in Artificial Intelligence, Director at the Delta State Ministry of Justice, Asaba, Nigeria. _______________________________________________________________________

“Order Justice Omolaye-Ajileye’s Electronic Evidence Books Now” — Essential Guides On Evidence Act, Case Law And Digital Proof

Two leading books on electronic evidence by Hon. Justice Professor Alaba Omolaye-Ajileye, Rtd., PhD, FICMC, are now available for purchase. The publications, Electronic Evidence (Second Edition), With The Evidence Act, 2011 and Compendium Of Cases On Electronic Evidence, Volume II, 2020–2025, provide practical guidance, legal analysis and recent judicial authorities on electronic evidence in Nigeria.Order directly from the author here: https://velvety-cendol-7387ed.netlify.app/ _______________________________________________________________________ “Enhance Legal Practice With Authoritative Reports” — Alexander Payne Offers Comprehensive Law Reports, Spanning Over A Century Of Nigerian Jurisprudence

Interested buyers are encouraged to place their orders and enquiries via: 0704 444 4777, 0704 444 4999, 0818 199 9888 Website: www.alexandernigeria.com

________________________________________________________________________ [A MUST HAVE] Evidence Act Demystified With Recent And Contemporary Cases And Materials
“Evidence Act: Complete Annotation” by renowned legal experts Sanni & Etti.
Available now for NGN 40,000 at ASC Publications, 10, Boyle Street, Onikan, Lagos. Beside High Court, TBS. Email publications@ayindesanni.com or WhatsApp +2347056667384. Purchase Link: https://paystack.com/buy/evidence-act-complete-annotation _______________________________________________________________________