Police dock journalists for reports against ex-CDS

The Delta State Police Command on Thursday arraigned the managing editor of an online newspaper, Joe Ogbodu, and a colleague, Mr Amour Udemude, at the Magistrate Court 5, Asaba.

The two journalists were charged over a news report which allegedly defamed a former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Alexander Ogomudia (retd.), and one Mr Sam Ogrih.

The report carried by BigPen online and Sahara Reporters allegedly fingered the former CDS in a recent communal crisis that rocked the Uzere community in Isoko South Local Government Area of the state over a N20m oil windfall allegedly paid the community by a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation.

In a suit marked CMA/425c/2019, Commissioner of Police vs Prince Amour Udemude and Joe Ogbodu, the two journalists, were slammed a five-count charge for alleged misdemeanour with defamation.

According to the court charges, the offences are publishable under Section 517 and Section 357 of the Criminal Code Law Cap 21 of Delta State 2006.

But the two accused journalists pleaded not guilty.

Counsel for the accused, Mr Chuks Ebu and Mr Lawrence Obiorah, applied for bail for the two journalists while Presiding Magistrate, Mrs B.N Anumadu subsequently granted the bail application and adjourned further hearing on the matter to November 12, 2019.