The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned until November 12, 2026, the arraignment of two women accused of allegedly spreading claims that a widow, Mrs Uju Akubueze, killed her husband’s first wife.
Key Highlights
- Federal High Court in Abuja fixed November 12, 2026, for the arraignment of two women.
- Nkiru Favour Ulasi and Ogechukwu Angela were absent when the case came up on Wednesday.
- The women are facing a three-count charge filed by the Inspector-General of Police.
- The charges involve alleged cyberbullying, defamation, threats and dissemination of false information.
- Police alleged that the defendants used WhatsApp and TikTok to circulate the disputed claims.
- The defendants have not yet entered their pleas because their arraignment could not proceed.
Court Adjourns Arraignment Over Defendants’ Absence
Justice Binta Nyako fixed November 12 for the arraignment after the two defendants failed to appear in court on Wednesday.
The case was listed first on the court’s cause list, but proceedings could not commence despite the presence of both prosecution and defence counsel.
Prosecution counsel, John Ijagbemi, and defence lawyer, Pascal Nnaji, were present when the matter was called.
Following discussions between the lawyers, Justice Nyako adjourned the case to November 12 for the defendants to be arraigned.
Women Face Three-Count Police Charge
The Inspector-General of Police filed a three-count charge against Ulasi and Angela in a case marked FHC/ABJ/CR/511/2026.
The charge was filed by Ijagbemi of the Directorate of Legal Services, Zone 7 Police Headquarters, Abuja.
The allegations include cyberbullying, defamation, threats and dissemination of false information.
According to the prosecution, the defendants allegedly acted alongside other persons still at large.
Police Allege WhatsApp, TikTok Publications
The prosecution alleged that between March and April 2026, the defendants used WhatsApp and TikTok to circulate videos, photographs and WhatsApp conversations containing what police described as false information about Akubueze.
In one of the counts, the women were accused of allegedly claiming that Akubueze killed her husband’s first wife.
The prosecution further alleged that Akubueze was labelled an HIV carrier in the disputed publications.
Police also alleged that the defendants published abusive messages through their social media platforms with the intention of bullying, threatening, defaming and harassing Akubueze and members of her family.
Police Say Defendants Knew Claims Were False
According to the prosecution, the information allegedly circulated by the defendants contained claims they knew to be false.
The police said the publications were capable of damaging Akubueze’s reputation and causing harassment to her and members of her family.
However, the allegations contained in the charge have yet to be tested in court, as the defendants have not entered their pleas.
Case Brought Under Cybercrimes Act
The alleged offences were said to contravene provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, as amended in 2024.
The legislation provides the legal framework under which the prosecution brought the charges against the two women.
The case is expected to proceed when the defendants appear before Justice Nyako for arraignment on November 12.
Read also:
- Court Orders Substituted Service On Woman Over Cybercrime Charges
- Ex-APC Governorship Aspirant Abimbola Olajumoke Remanded In Prison Over Defamation Charges
- Taraba NCWS Raises Alarm Over Cyberbullying, Blackmail Targeting Women Leaders
Defendants Yet to Enter Pleas
The defendants did not enter their pleas on Wednesday because they were absent from court.
Justice Nyako therefore adjourned the matter to November 12, 2026, when the prosecution is expected to proceed with the arraignment.
Until the allegations are determined by the court, the two women remain defendants and are presumed innocent unless proven guilty according to law.
For more court and judiciary updates, follow us on X.
