The Nigeria Police Force has filed a five-count charge against a journalist, Alefia Friday, publisher of the online news platform Naija News Today (formerly Asiwaju Media), over alleged violations of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.
The charges, dated October 8, were filed before Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, and stem from reports allegedly critical of a member of the House of Representatives representing Ezza South/Ikwo Federal Constituency of Ebonyi State, Hon. Chinedu Ogah.
Alefia was reportedly arrested on September 23, 2025, in Lagos by operatives of the Police Intelligence Response Team and later transferred to Abuja, where he has been detained at the former Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) facility in Guzape.
Sources said his arrest followed a publication that criticised the lawmaker’s performance in office.
Efforts by his family to secure his release on bail have reportedly been unsuccessful, with concerns raised over his deteriorating health while in custody.
The journalist is to be arraigned on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, on a five-count charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/53/2025.
The charge lists Alefia Friday James as the first defendant and Asiwaju Media Company Ltd as the second, with the Commissioner of Police named as the complainant.
In count one, the police allege that Alefia and his company conspired to use computer systems and social media platforms such as Facebook to disseminate false information, in violation of Section 27 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024, and punishable under Section 24(2)(c)(ii) of the same Act.
Count two alleges that the defendants published a false report titled “How Federal Lawmaker Ogah Snatches Village Land in Ebonyi”, knowing it to be untrue—an offence contrary to Section 24(2)(a) and punishable under Section 24(2)(c)(i) of the Act.
Count three accuses Alefia of cyberstalking for allegedly publishing another false statement on Facebook, quoting Ogah as saying: “I rigged senatorial poll against Emmanuel Onwe.”
Count four references a report titled “Ebonyi Rep Member Returns ₦4 Million Amidst Extortion Allegations,” which the police also describe as false.
The fifth count concerns another alleged false publication, “Ebonyi Rep Member Threatens Constituent for Supporting Charity Foundation.”
All the charges, according to the prosecution, contravene Section 24(2)(a) and are punishable under Section 24(2)(c)(i) of the Cybercrimes Amendment Act, 2024.
Alefia and his company are expected to take their plea when the case comes up for hearing on Wednesday.