YENAGUA: A magistrate court in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, on Wednesday ordered the remand of Mr. Aye Egberi, the head of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Social Media Team in the state, at the Okaka Medium Correctional Facility for 30 days.
Egberi, 37, is facing charges of cyberstalking and publishing defamatory content against Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Francis Idu, and the Minister of State for Petroleum (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri.
According to the charge sheet filed before Magistrate Court 14, Egberi was arrested by operatives of Operation Puff Adder, led by CSP Chris Uwaogbo, over a series of alleged malicious online posts.
He was accused of:
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Using a fake Facebook account to defame Minister Lokpobiri, alleging he orchestrated the formation of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Bayelsa State.
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Publishing claims that Governor Diri and Police Commissioner Idu masterminded the July abduction of Justice Ebiyerim Umokoro of the State High Court.
Police prosecutors argued that his posts were deliberate attempts to undermine security operations and public confidence in ongoing efforts to rescue the abducted judge
At the hearing of suit number YMCA/747c/2025, police counsel Japhet O. Japhet told Magistrate Stanley Ekeru that Egberi’s actions were aimed at ridiculing and threatening state officials.
“The said publications targeted the Governor, the Commissioner of Police, and others, with the intent to cause public disorder and endanger their lives and families,” Japhet said.
The prosecution urged the court to remand Egberi under Section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 (as amended in 2024).
The law carries a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment and a fine of ₦25 million, and the matter is triable at the Federal High Court.
Magistrate Stanley Ekeru granted the prosecution’s request, ordering Egberi’s remand at Okaka prison while further investigations continue and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) prepares advice on the case.
Egberi is expected to remain in custody pending possible arraignment at the Federal High Court.
