A 35-year-old man, Paul Gyenger, has been remanded in prison custody by a Makurdi Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly defaming Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State on social media. Gyenger, a resident of Makurdi, was charged with cyberstalking and defamation of character.
According to the prosecution counsel, Inspector Godwin Ato, the case was reported to the Anti-Cyber Crimes and Narcotics Unit in Makurdi by ASP Ver Ingyatu, the ADC to the governor, on October 16, 2024. Ingyatu alleged that Gyenger posted on a Facebook account under the name Terna Sunday Tyo, calling Governor Alia a “chronic womanizer” and using abusive language in Tiv to defame his character.
Gyenger’s actions allegedly contravened Sections 24 of the Cyber Crimes Act 2015 and 393 of the Penal Code of Benue 2004. Chief Magistrate Kelvin Mbanongun declined to take Gyenger’s plea due to lack of jurisdiction and adjourned the case until December 17, 2024, for further mention.
