Aniefiok Christopher
An Akwa Ibom State High Court in Uyo, on Monday, denied a Facebook user over alleged defamatory and seditious publications against the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno.
The defendant, God’sown Monday Udoito, a native of Esit Eket Local Government Area, was docked and arraigned on a five-count charge filed by the Akwa Ibom State Government.
The prosecution was led by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Mr. Friday Itim, Esq.
Her posts that led to arrest and prosecution are linked to the altercation between Akwa Ibom Government and Ekid People’s Union over the acquisition of Stubbs Creeks Forest Reserve.
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The charges include conspiracy, publication of defamatory matter, conduct capable of causing extreme fear, nuisance, and seditious publication. They are said to be contrary to Sections 504 and 332 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Akwa Ibom State 2022, as well as Sections 6 and 57 of the Internal Security and Enforcement Law, Volume 4, Laws of Akwa Ibom State 2022.
According to the prosecution, the defendant allegedly made and published false and defamatory statements against Governor Umo Eno on her Facebook account, “Princess God’sown Udoitoto,” between August and December 2025.
The alleged publications were said to have occurred at various locations within Eket Local Government Area, though the matter is being tried in the Uyo Judicial Division.
In one of the counts, the prosecution alleged that the defendant claimed to be the custodian of certain deities and threatened to invoke them against the Governor, an action said to be capable of causing fear, alarm and apprehension, as well as undermining public peace and internal security in the state.
She is also accused of repeatedly posting abusive, irritating and provocative videos on her Facebook page within the same period, conduct the prosecution said amounted to nuisance and was capable of causing widespread annoyance and disturbance among residents of Akwa Ibom State.
The fifth count alleged that between August 1, 2025 and January 10, 2026, the defendant published seditious videos with the intent to incite hatred and disaffection against the Governor, including allegations that he sold ancestral land in Eket and embezzled the proceeds.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to all five counts.
Following her arraignment, defence counsel, Mr. Akpadiaha Ebitu, Esq., a former Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Eket Branch, applied for bail. He argued that the defendant was presumed innocent under the law, that the offences were bailable, and that she had no prior criminal record. He further assured the court that she would not jump bail or interfere with the administration of justice.
Counsel anchored his application on Sections 158 and 162 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Akwa Ibom State 2022 and Section 36(5) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
Opposing the application, the DPP urged the court to refuse bail, citing a counter-affidavit which, he said, showed a likelihood that the defendant might abscond if released. He relied on judicial authorities, including Bamaga v. State and Asari Dokubo v. State, arguing that the offences were serious and carried penalties of up to 14 years’ imprisonment without the option of a fine.
He added that even if the court was inclined to grant bail, it should impose stringent conditions in the interest of justice and public order.
After listening to submissions from both sides, the presiding judge, Hon. Justice Winifred Umohandi, refused the bail application but ordered an accelerated hearing of the case.
The matter was adjourned to Thursday, February 5, 2026, for further hearing.
