Police Set To Arraign Lawyer For Cybercrime Charges Against Colleague
A lawyer and publisher of Kubwa Express, Felix Chukwuma Ashimole, is set to be arraigned before Honourable Justice Liman of Court 11, Federal High Court, Abuja, on charges of cyber harassment and defamation against fellow lawyer, Jude Ezeobi. The matter came up today, Thursday 20th February, 2025 for arraignment of the accused, but could not proceed as the accused was not present in court.
The case, filed as Charge No: FHC/ABJ/CR/549/2024, was brought forward by the FCT Nigeria Police Force Command, following an extensive investigation into claims that Ashimole used online platforms to tarnish Ezeobi’s reputation. Prosecutors allege that his public statements were false, defamatory, and intended to damage Ezeobi’s credibility and that of his family.
Timeline of Alleged Offences
August 21, 2024: Ashimole allegedly made defamatory statements in an online publication of Kubwa Express and shared same in a WhatsApp group, “Law Center,” which has over 540 members, most of whom are lawyers. He reportedly claimed that Ezeobi had created a condolence WhatsApp group to solicit funds under the pretence of organising his late ex-wife Ulonna Inyama’s burial. Authorities state that these accusations were entirely false and designed to harm Ezeobi’s reputation.
August 21, 2024 (same day as the first post): Ashimole allegedly repeated defamatory remarks in another WhatsApp group, “Law School Class of 2003,” which has over 700 members, accusing Ezeobi of meddling in personal matters. Police findings suggest that Ashimole was aware that these claims were unfounded but still published them to embarrass and harass Ezeobi.
September 2024: Despite issuing an earlier apology and deleting the initial defamatory posts, Ashimole allegedly republished similar claims on his news platform, Kubwa Express. Prosecutors argue that he intentionally revived the allegations, falsely accusing Ezeobi of misleading friends into making financial contributions for the burial.
– Threatening Message: Police investigations revealed that Ashimole allegedly sent a direct message to Ezeobi, warning that he had documents that could “bury” him if he wanted to take that route. Prosecutors believe this message was meant to intimidate and silence Ezeobi.
1. NIGERIA POLICE INVESTIGATION REPORT OF CONSPIRACY, CYBERSTALKING, DEFAMATION, INTIMIDATION…AGAINST FELIX ASHIMOLE ESQ & KUBWA EXPRESS. COM… (1)
2. COMMISSIONER OF POLICE V. FELIX ASHIMOLE (CHARGE FOR CRIMINALLY & MALICIOUSLY DEFAMING JUDE EZEOBI).
Legal Implications
Ashimole faces multiple charges under the Cybercrimes (Protection, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, as amended in 2024, specifically under Sections 24(1) and 24(2), which deal with cyber harassment, cyberstalking, and online defamation. The prosecution has submitted witness statements, WhatsApp messages, and articles from Kubwa Express as evidence to support the case.
If convicted, Ashimole could face severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment, under Nigeria’s updated cybercrime laws.
