Publisher Drags FCT Police, Ebonyi Lawmaker to Court Over Alleged Rights Violation

A Lagos-based journalist and publisher of Naija News Today, Friday Alefia, has instituted a ₦50 million fundamental rights enforcement suit against the Commissioner of Police, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and an Ebonyi State lawmaker, Chinedu Ogah, over his alleged unlawful arrest and detention.

Mr Alefia, who was reportedly held in custody for 86 days, accused the police and the member representing Ezza South/Ikwo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives of violating his constitutional rights through what he described as a politically motivated arrest.

Court documents obtained on Tuesday revealed that the journalist was arrested at his Ikorodu residence in Lagos on 23 September 2025 by armed men who identified themselves as police officers. He was initially detained at Area F Police Station in Ikeja before being transferred to Abuja, where he was held at the now-defunct SARS detention facility in Guzape, popularly known as Abattoir.

According to the filings, police officers allegedly pressured Mr Alefia during his detention to admit that his social media publications were sponsored by political opponents of Mr Ogah, an allegation he denied.

On 8 October 2025, the FCT Police Command filed a five-count charge against the journalist at the Federal High Court, Abuja. Mr Alefia was listed as the first defendant, while Asiwaju Media Company Ltd was named as the second defendant. The Commissioner of Police was cited as the complainant.

The charges bordered on conspiracy, publication of false information via computer systems, cyberstalking and spreading allegedly misleading reports concerning claims that Mr Ogah seized community land in Ebonyi State. The offences were said to contravene Section 24(2)(a) of the Cybercrimes (Amendment) Act and are punishable under Section 24(2)(c)(i) of the Act.

While still in custody, Mr Alefia filed a fundamental rights enforcement application on 10 October 2025, seeking a declaration that his arrest and detention were unconstitutional, unlawful and illegal. His lawyers argued that his rights under Sections 35, 41 and 46 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), as well as Articles 6 and 12 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, were violated.

He also asked the court to order his immediate release or compel the police to produce him before a competent court, and to restrain the police from further unlawful detention. Additionally, he demanded ₦50 million in exemplary damages against Mr Ogah, whom his legal team alleged instigated and directed his arrest.

In a supporting affidavit deposed to by one of his lawyers, Evelyn Chang, screenshots of Mr Alefia’s Facebook posts were attached, which the defence said were related to civic issues and matters of public interest. The suit was jointly signed by a team of lawyers including Ogah Ogbenyi Oligwu, Godswill D. Nwani, Sabinus O. Achugamuenye, U.U. Fingesi, Feng Mandung Pwajok and Mrs Chang.

On 27 November 2025, the Federal High Court granted Mr Alefia bail in the sum of ₦20 million with two sureties in like sum. However, his release was delayed for 22 days due to difficulties in meeting the bail conditions, particularly the requirement that both sureties reside in Abuja.

He was eventually released from the Kuje Correctional Centre on 19 December 2025.

Speaking after his release, Mr Alefia said the delay was caused by the stringent bail conditions. Court proceedings, especially at the bail stage, were marked by repeated adjournments, with the trial judge at one point fining the prosecution ₦50,000 for failure to properly serve its counter-affidavit opposing bail.

Mr Alefia pleaded not guilty to all five counts at his arraignment, while the court entered a not-guilty plea on behalf of the second defendant. The judge initially ordered his remand at Kuje Correctional Centre before an earlier bail hearing date was secured.

Family members later disclosed that the journalist’s health deteriorated during detention, necessitating private medical treatment. A relative, Chijioke Alefia, described the arrest as politically motivated and called for urgent intervention.

The detention attracted condemnation from several legal and civil rights organisations. The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) warned against the growing use of arbitrary arrests, digital surveillance and strategic lawsuits to stifle freedom of expression. The Legal Defence and Assistance Project also faulted the prolonged detention, stressing that the constitution guarantees arraignment within 48 hours and liberal bail conditions.

The charges against Mr Alefia relate to reports he allegedly published, including “How Federal Lawmaker Ogah Snatches Village Land in Ebonyi” and “Ebonyi Rep Member Returns ₦4 Million Amid Extortion Allegations.” He was also accused of cyberstalking for allegedly attributing a statement on election rigging to the lawmaker.

The case has reignited concerns among press freedom advocates over the alleged misuse of the Cybercrimes Act against journalists. Media groups have warned that the law is increasingly being weaponised to suppress dissent and shrink civic space.

The Federal High Court is yet to fix a hearing date for Mr Alefia’s ₦50 million damages suit.