The trial of South African-based activist Boniface Okonkwo, detained since January 3 in Nnewi, Anambra State, for alleged defamation, was stalled on Wednesday at the Anambra State High Court, Nnewi, due to fears of a looming nationwide protest.
Okonkwo’s absence from the court hearing was attributed to instructions from the correctional centre authorities, who cited concerns about transporting him to court amidst the planned protests.
Prosecution counsel Alex Ejesieme (SAN) informed the court that the defendant could not be present due to the security situation, while defence counsel Kevin Nwufo noted that the Judiary workers’ strike in the state that lasted about two weeks somewhat hindered the progress of the matter.
Justice Vincent Agbata adjourned the matter till September 26 for final adoption, as the fear of the nationwide protests took center stage.
Okonkwo was arrested on January 3 for allegedly defaming businessman, Sir Emeka Offor, on an Oraifite community WhatsApp group, where both men are natives.
The activist was denied administrative bail by the police and has been in detention since.
The prosecution claims Okonkwo described Offor’s meter manufacturing company as an “empty warehouse” on the WhatsApp platform, a post that irked Offor.
However, during a previous hearing, Okonkwo testified that he did not defame Offor. The court had also observed discrepancies in the prosecution’s evidence, including a Truecaller app identification that raised questions about the case’s credibility.
The Truecaller app identified the alleged defamer of Offor as OVERHEAT, where Okonkwo insisted that he was not Overheat but Boniface Okonkwo.
Okonkwo has appealed to President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo, and human rights organizations, including Femi Falana (SAN), to intervene in his case.
He claims his prolonged detention has resulted in his children facing threats of expulsion from school in South Africa due to unpaid fees.
Okonkwo’s family has also appealed for his release, citing the hardship they face due to his detention. They claim his continued incarceration is causing undue hardship and suffering for his immediate and extended family.
