The FCT High Court in Bwari has granted blogger Maxwell Opara permission to serve court processes on popular Instagram handle @instablog9ja and its operators via non-standard means.
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In suit No. FCT/HC/BW/CV/04/2023 between Maxwell Opara and the operators of Instablog Nigeria, Hon. Justice M.A. Madugu approved Opara’s motion for substituted service.
This allows Opara to paste court papers on notice boards of the FCT High Court headquarters and the Bwari court premises. Publication by online bloggers and service via Instablog’s registered email address were also permitted.
The court had previously ordered the sealing of Instablog’s premises following Opara’s allegations of privacy breaches and rights violations due to unauthorized publication of his personal information.
With the defendants yet to appear in court, the judge granted Opara’s request for alternative means of service to ensure the operators receive the suit processes.
The case has been adjourned till February 27, 2024 for hearing of Opara’s claims against the Instagram platform and its owners. Their response is now required through the court-mandated channels.
The high-profile case continues as online platforms face growing scrutiny over ethical issues and rights abuses in Nigeria.
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