Nigeria Police: Ani Chidi Enugu Cybercrime Act Arraignment, Remanded

• Ani Chidi, 45, was remanded in prison by an Enugu East Magistrate’s Court on cybercrime and criminal defamation charges.
• He is accused of recording and circulating a video of a September 12, 2026 attack on NDC members, falsely accusing three individuals, including Ani Nnabuike, of involvement.
• The charges are brought under Section 24(2)(a)&(c)(i) of Nigeria's Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015 (as amended 2024).
• The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) expressed outrage, alleging police targeted a witness while releasing suspected attackers and called for an independent investigation.
• The NDC claims the Attorney General of Enugu State is orchestrating 'trumped-up charges' against the witness, whom they refer to as Chidi Ezeani.

This Ani Chidi Enugu Cybercrime Act arraignment highlights significant tensions between political parties, law enforcement, and citizens documenting public events.

A 45-year-old individual, Ani Chidi, has been remanded in prison custody by an Enugu East Magistrate’s Court sitting in Nkwo Nike, Enugu State, following his arraignment on charges related to cybercrime and alleged criminal defamation. The Enugu State Police Command brought three counts against Mr. Chidi on Monday, accusing him of recording and disseminating a video that depicted an attack on members of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) during a political gathering in Obuoffia Awkunanaw.

According to the charge sheet, identified as MEN/ 151c/2026 and obtained on Tuesday, the police allege that Mr. Ani Samuel Chidi intentionally authored, recorded, and published a false statement. This statement, made on September 12, 2026, at approximately 0540 hours, specifically accused Ani Nnabuike of being part of an armed group that disrupted the NDC meeting. The publication, which also allegedly included a threat to kill Ani Nnabuike and his family, was circulated across various social media platforms and online news outlets, including Ite-Odo Obuoffia Community Whatsapp Group, Tik-Tok, Instagram, Facebook, and Sahara Reporters. The police contend that Mr. Chidi knew the statement to be false and that it caused Ani Nnabuike to fear an imminent attack from the public.

The charges against Ani Chidi fall under Section 24(2)(a)&(c)(i) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015, as amended in 2024. This specific section of the Cybercrime Act addresses offenses related to the intentional circulation of false statements or information via computer systems or networks, which could cause fear, anxiety, or injury to the reputation of another person. The police prosecutor, Ajogwu, presented the case before Chief Magistrate F. E. Chukwu (Chief Magistrate Grade 1), who subsequently ordered Mr. Chidi's remand.

The prosecution further alleged that Mr. Chidi falsely implicated three individuals—Ani Nnabuike, Solomon Ifeanyi, and Monday Anninwe—as members of the armed group responsible for invading the NDC meeting. The legal action underscores the broad application of Nigeria's Cybercrime Act, particularly Section 24(2)(a)&(c)(i), to individuals who record and disseminate content related to public events, even when documenting alleged incidents of violence or political unrest.

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Enugu State has voiced strong disapproval regarding the prosecution of Ani Chidi, whom they identify as a witness who captured evidence of the violence. In a statement issued on Tuesday by Sampson Ukwu, Media Aide to Sir Christian Chinyeaka Ohaa, the NDC Governorship candidate, the party described the police's actions as deeply concerning. They allege that law enforcement has targeted the witness while allowing suspected perpetrators of the gun attack to remain free.

The NDC has called for a thorough and impartial investigation into the Obuoffia political violence, urging state authorities to refrain from using judicial processes against witnesses. The party's statement further claimed that the masterminds behind the incident are attempting to suppress crucial evidence by targeting the 'star witness,' Chidi Ezeani, and alleged that the Attorney General of Enugu State is orchestrating 'trumped-up charges' to arraign him. This Ani Chidi Enugu Cybercrime Act arraignment highlights significant tensions between political parties, law enforcement, and citizens documenting public events.

This case highlights the broad and potentially contentious application of Nigeria's Cybercrime Act, particularly Section 24(2)(a)&(c)(i), to individuals who record and disseminate content related to public events. Lawyers should advise clients on the risks associated with sharing unverified or politically sensitive information online, even when documenting alleged incidents, as it can lead to charges of criminal defamation or cybercrime.

Source: Original reporting via The Punch