Our reporter
The Nigeria Police Force has secured a remand order from the Chief Magistrate Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Wuse Zone 6, Abuja, for the detention of social media influencer Mr. Reno Omokri and three other individuals, including a former pastor of Dunamis Church, Mr. Abraham Daniel, along with brothers Enenche Idoga Alexander and Oboyinlo Enenche Peter.
According to reports from SaharaReporters, Omokri, who served as Special Assistant to former President Goodluck Jonathan on New Media, is being sought by the police for his alleged involvement in a defamation case that has now led to his remand. The case also involves the Enenche brothers and Mr. Daniel, all of whom are alleged to have been part of a wider conspiracy.
The Chief Magistrate Court, presided over by His Worship Chief Emmanuel A. Iyanna, granted the remand order on January 13, 2025, following an ex-parte motion filed by the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun. The motion, which was presented by legal counsel Francis Gabriel, Esq, saw the four accused individuals named as the 1st to 4th Respondents in the case.
The court ordered that the individuals be held in the custody of the Nigeria Correctional Service pending further investigation and the eventual arraignment in court. The court also set the return date for January 30, 2025, at which point the respondents are to be produced before the court.
In his ruling, Chief Magistrate Iyanna stated, “Upon hearing the application and submissions of learned Francis Gabriel, Esq., and after carefully considering the evidence presented, the application is hereby granted as prayed.” The court further directed that the respondents be brought to trial following the completion of the ongoing investigation.
The remand order is tied to a petition filed by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Patrick O. Okolo, which accuses Omokri, the Gistlover Blog, Aunty Adul, Peter Obonyiro, Kelechi TV, and others of defamation. The case is understood to be part of a broader legal battle concerning defamatory content circulated via various media platforms.
The court’s adjournment to January 30 is expected to clarify further developments in the case, with all four accused individuals set to face formal arraignment once the investigation is complete.
