An Owerri Magistrate Court has granted bail to Ejike Ogbonna, publisher of First Citizen Newspaper, after spending 30 days in police custody over alleged cybercrime charges.
Ogbonna, who was arrested and held at the Tiger Base Police Unit, appeared in court in handcuffs on Thursday.
Delivering the ruling, Magistrate C. J. Uzoechi fixed his bail at ₦2 million with strict conditions, including a surety who owns landed property within the court’s jurisdiction and the endorsement of a traditional ruler.
The journalist is facing a four-count charge reportedly linked to a voice note shared on social media, in which he allegedly defamed Chinasa Nwaneri, Special Adviser to the Imo State Governor on Compliance.
The case has been adjourned to October 3, 2025, for further hearing.
Meanwhile, the Imo Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has described Ogbonna’s arrest and detention as an assault on press freedom, urging the State Police Commissioner to prevent the force from being used as a tool for political persecution.
