₦airaland Forum

Ebonyi Journalist, Godfrey Chikwere Faces 7 Years Imprisonment For Allegedly Sharing "Hate Speech"


By Wisdom Nwedene, Abakaliki 

A former media aide to Ebonyi State Governor, David Nweze Umahi, Mr Godfery Chikwere who was arrested and detained by the police following a petition by Ebonyi State Commissioner for Information, Barrister Orji Uchenna Orji, will face seven years Imprisonment, Igbere TV has learnt.

According to section 4 of the  Ebonyi State Cyber Crime Law 012 of 2021, Mr Chikwere  will face 7 years imprisonment for allegedly sharing hate speech, and fake news.

As at the time of filing this report, it is not yet clear when the cyber crime law was signed by the Ebonyi State House of Assembly.

Speaking to journalists in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State Commissioner for Information, Barrister Orji Uchenna Orji said Mr Chikwere is not a recognised journalist in the State.

He claimed that Mr Chikwere who was once a staff of Ebonyi State Broadcasting Cooperation, EBBC has issues with his result and the Ebonyi State civil service.

Mr Chikwere ordeal started on Saturday after he was arrested by the police following a petition against him by Barrister Orji for making a publication on his Facebook handle which the government considered as offensive.

He was rushed to the state’s police headquarters clinic for treatment but his condition reportedly worsened as the clinic is said to be inadequately equipped to cater to his health challenge.

Mr Chikwere was subsequently taken to the Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital Abakaliki(AE-FUTHA) for further treatment.

His wife, Onyinyechi, confirmed his ill-health to reporters in Abakaliki.

She said “my husband started falling sick yesterday night when he was in the police station. So, he became worst and the police clinic couldn’t handle it. He is here in AE-FUTHA since this morning.

“They couldn’t diagnose anything at the police clinic but he was in serious crisis. So, no we are in AE-FUTHA, from the explanations on what is wrong with him, I think it is acute appendicitis but I don’t know yet”.

Source: https://igberetvnews.com/1402814/godfrey-chikwere-faces-7-years-imprisonment-allegedly-sharing-hate-speech-fake-publication/

Eayyyyyy

They should pity the poor boy

So where's the hate speech? Everybody with just little position go just dey form Buhari.

Is this not a personal vendetta? He was arrested, hospitalized and now this, all because he criticized politicians generally?

This continuous onslaught on that journalist is giving credence to the fact that Umahi might be one of the politicians, responsible for the UGM attacks in Anambra afterall. Just like Obiano alleged.

Noted

What defines hate speech?

Just like that?

What exactly is the hate speech?

Wahala everywhere

Accidental leaders or political catastrophe defines hate speech as anything they don't like, anything that brings their wrongs to light: feminism, #Endsars, #Buharimustgo.
We have the right to complain about discomfort.

I SUPPORT FREE SPEECH, NOT POLITICAL CORRECTNESS.

Stefan Molyneux, once said, “Good philosophy is always hate speech to evil doers.”

Umahi is not different from buhari. I see no hate speech in the guys write up. It's unfortunate we have gone this bad. Even our justice system.

Hmmmm

Give a black man power, he will behave like a demigod. State governors are even worse than the President.
Buhari is even more tolerant

I will come back to comment, make I go read wetin he do

Ok

So nairaland keyboards warrior una de hear am so abi make I called names

Gov. Umahi is working. Umahi in a show of shame with ordinary social media influencer

This is why I respect Gov. Obiano till tomorrow. He is the only governor that knows how to break haters heart with silence and maturity.
That is why he seems to be the most criticized governor... Yet he keep balling

Some of these state government officials are bigger dictators than Buhari na just opportunity dem never get.

So are they saying there is no more freedom of speech

There is no freedom of speech in Nigeria

This is very bad and should be condemned.

If it were in Kaduna, we will be screaming Midget, Hitler, etc.

These Govs are worse in everything than those in Abuja.

affable4:
What defines hate speech?

Any speech the government hates

But Hate speech is never in the low of Nigeria now?

lloydtruth:
So where's the hate speech? Everybody with just little position go just dey form Buhari.

This hate speech thing is very complicated what I consider has hate speech, you may not consider it has hate speech. Some people use insult to greet themselves, while some people may take it has insult.

If you are young and single, start planning to raise your kids outside Nigeria. The country is totally finished and there is no remedy. Don't quote me to say rubbish except you know you are a condemned idiot!