Chike Ibezim has been brought before the Federal Government for purportedly defaming Babatunde Fashola , a former Minister of Works and Housing. The arraignment took place on Monday at a Fedearal High Court in Abuja, where Ibezim faced a six-count charge. He, along with two others, alleged asserted that Fashola was responsible for the judgment favoring the All Progressive Congress in the presidential election petition court, dismissing petitions by the Labour Party and the Peoples Dramatic Party.
Count one of the charges read; “That you Ibezim Chike Victor, male with Jackson Udeh, Nnamdi Emmanuel Ibezim and Reportera.ng (body corporate) now at large on or about 05/08/2023 at Abuja, did commit an illegal Act to wit; criminal conspiracy; when you jointly agreed to publish a defamatory statement of false allegations in your online social media, the reportera.ng news, against His Excellency Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN, CON, without justification, you thereby commit offence punishable under Sector 27(1)!b) of the Cyber-crime Prohibition, Prevention Act 2015.”
However, Fashola refuted the accusation, labeling it as ” unfolded and libelous.”He further asserted that the individuals making the allegation are “instigators of unrest.” Despite this, the presiding judge, Bolaji Olajuwon, adjourned the case until April 15 for the trail to proceed.