A magistrate court in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, has ordered the remand of Mr. Aye Egberi, head of the Social Media team of the All Progressives Congress in the state, over alleged cyberstalking.
Egberi, 37, is to remain in custody for 30 days at the Okaka Medium Correctional Facility, pending further investigation.
The remand order was issued on Wednesday by Magistrate Stanley Ekeru, following an application by police prosecutors during proceedings in Suit No. YMCA/747c/2025.
According to the charge sheet, Egberi was arrested by officers of Operation Puff Adder, led by CSP Chris Uwaogbo, over a series of alleged defamatory posts on social media.
He is accused of cyberstalking Bayelsa State Police Commissioner Francis Idu, Governor Douye Diri, and Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri.
The police allege that Egberi used a fake Facebook account to publish false claims, including accusations that the Police Commissioner and Governor Diri orchestrated the July abduction of State High Court Judge, Justice Ebiyerim Umokoro. He also allegedly accused Minister Lokpobiri of forming the African Democratic Congress in Bayelsa State.
Prosecutors say the posts were designed to incite unrest and undermine efforts by security agencies and the state government to maintain public order and rescue the kidnapped judge.
Police prosecution counsel, Japhet O. Japhet Esq., argued that the allegations fall under Section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, as amended in 2024. The section provides for up to 10 years’ imprisonment and a ₦25 million fine upon conviction. Japhet noted that the offence is triable at the Federal High Court but requested Egberi’s remand pending advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions or formal arraignment.
Magistrate Ekeru granted the request and ordered that Egberi be held at the correctional facility while the investigation continues.
