Court Adjourns Criminal Defamation Suit Against Obi
By Our Reporter
Magistrate Court 4 sitting in Amawbia, Awka South local government area of Anambra State, under Her Worship, E.C Chukwu, has adjourned a criminal defamation suit filed by the Catholic Diocese of Awka against Anambra based activist, Comrade Osita Obi, to January 28, 2027.
Comerade Obi, the Convener of Recover Nigeria Project, a pressure group, was facing trail over alleged defamation.
In the suite marked: MAW/345C/2025, between the Commissioner of Police and Osita Obi, the activist was accused, among other things, of knowingly and intentionally publishing defamatory statements through his Facebook page known as ‘OSITA OBI’ and another Facebook page known as ‘IGBO HISTORY,’ wherein he reportedly claimed that the Catholic Diocese of Awka was no better than Boko Haram bandits, and that it is better to deal with Lucifer than to deal with the said diocese.
The charge, instituted by Rev. Fr. Chudy Aguinam on behalf of the diocese, said that the defendant made the claim which he knew to be false, but was made to injure the reputation of the priest as well as that of the diocese, adding that the write-up exposed the priest and his diocese to hatred, contempt, and ridicule before right-thinking members of the public.
At a resumed hearing on Thursday, October 15, Mr. J.A Obiajulu (Esq) announced his appearance for the plaintiff (the Catholic Diocese of Awka).
He told the court that he obtained Fiat to take over the prosecution from a police counsel, A.G Obi (Esq.), who has been handling the case from onset.
He, however, pleaded with the court for adjournment to enable him obtain necessary files and documents from the police, study the case files and proceed with the prosecution.
The defense counsel, Martins Obi (Esq) did not oppose the application. He, however, notified the court that the Fiat was obtained over seven months back, and that it was enough time for the lawyer to have gotten the necessary documents he needed from the police.
The counsel also reminded the court that he filed Notice to Produce since November 2025, urging that the police should furnish him with necessary documents concerning the outcome of their investigations in the matter, to enable him build up his defense. He regretted that since he requested for the documents, nearly one year ago, police have not supplied the documents as demanded.
He cited Section 36, Subsection 6(b) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), which he said, guarantees that every person who is charged with a criminal offence shall be entitled to be given adequate time and facilities for the preparation of his defence, without which the prosecution will not proceed.
After listening to both parties, the presiding Magistrate, Her Worship, E.C Chukwu, adjourned the matter to January 28, 2027 for hearing, and to enable the parties obtain necessary documents to pursue their cases.
