In an ironic twist, Chukwuebuka Washington Dikeocha, the blogger who sensationally published fake pictures of “EFCC Cell” through his Twitter handle, @TheRealDayne, today March 10, 2020 pleaded to be remanded in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, following his arraignment by the Port Harcourt zonal office before Justice M.L. Abubakar of the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt, River State on a two-count charge bordering on causing annoyance, hatred or ill will contrary to Section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc ) Act, 2015.

He pleaded “not guilty” to the charges.

In view of his plea, counsel for the EFCC, N.C. Ferdinand urged the court to fix a date for the commencement of trial.

However, the defence counsel, C.C. Achunelo informed the court of the defendant’s pending bail application.

Responding to the application, Ferdinand requested for a short adjournment to enable her respond to it.

“I was [only] served yesterday, my Lord, I need time to respond,” she said.

Achunelo’s repeated prayers that the court remands the defendant in EFCC pending hearing of his bail application was opposed to by Ferdinand.

Justice Abubakar,  thereafter, adjourned until March 12, 2020 for hearing, and ordered that the defendant be remanded in Port Harcourt Correctional Centre.

Dikeocha was arrested on February 26, 2020 a few weeks after he posted a fake tweet which attracted unwarranted attacks on the EFCC by angry citizens who were misled by his post on Twitter.

 

Media & Publicity

March 10, 2020