A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has committed a member of the House of Representatives, Rep. Amobi Ogah, to the Kuje Correctional Centre, Abuja, over allegations bordering on criminal defamation and false declaration.
Justice Yusuf Halilu issued the committal order shortly after Rep. Ogah, representing Abia State was arrested and brought before the court.
Key Highlights:
- Amobi Ogah was remanded in Kuje Prison by an FCT High Court.
- He is facing charges of criminal defamation and false declaration.
- The court ordered his remand until July 6.
- The case involves allegations against Nkeiruka Onyejeocha.
- Ogah has denied the allegations.
According to the committal order, dated June 24, the lawmaker will remain in custody until July 6, when the case is scheduled to resume.
The court document, titled: “Warrant of Commitment to Prison,” indicated that the lawmaker is standing trial in charge No. CR/650/2024.
It will be recalled that federal government on July 31, 2024, filed a five-count criminal charge against the lawmaker, bordering on alleged criminal defamation and false declaration.
In count one, the lawmaker was alleged to have, sometime in May 2023, made a false declaration in an affidavit at the registry of the FCT High Court, Abuja, dated May 18, 2023, against Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, then minister of state for labour and employment, in which he allegedly claimed that, during a meeting with her supporters at her residence, she told them she had “bought over” the tribunal judges, particularly Justice Halima Saleeman.
The charge stated that Rep. Ogah knew the allegation to be false, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 164 of the Penal Code, 1963, and punishable under Section 158 (2) of the same Act.
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In count two, he was accused of making another false and defamatory declaration in the same affidavit dated May 18, 2023, alleging that the former minister had influenced the removal of the former Chairman of the panel, Justice Halilu, to pave the way for Justice Saleeman, whom she allegedly knew personally and who would deliver judgment in her favour.
The prosecution alleged that the statement was false and constituted an offence contrary to Section 391 of the Penal Code, 1963, and punishable under Section 392 of the same Act.
Lastly, Rep. Ogah was accused committing an offence by making a false declaration against Onyejeocha, with intent to destroy her reputation, as a result of which she suffered harm to her reputation, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 393 of the Penal Code, 1963, and punishable under the same section of the Act.
