– Amadi, Others At Large
Christian Nwadike, one of the five persons accused in a case of criminal defamation, cyber bullying and threat to life against Chinasa Nwaneri, an appointee in Governor Hope Uzodinma’s cabinet was arraigned on Wednesday, July, 23, 2025 at a Magistrate Court in Owerri, the Imo State capital.
After the case was called up and pleas taken, the Court said the nature of the case is beyond its jurisdiction, pointing out that the case would be transferred to the State High Court for trial and determination while the accused was to be remanded at the Owerri Correctional Center .
The court also noted that the allegations against the accused were grave in nature—involving the deliberate use of public platforms to incite violence, tarnish the reputation of a serving government official, and instigate division in the state.
Court appearance today reveals that Willie Amadi, Egeson ugochukwu Iheukwumere, kennis Oparaugo, Ejike Ogbonna and Nelson Oparaugo—co-defendants in the same matter—are currently at large and the court demanded that the police should effect their arrest before the next court date , and their failure to appear would enable a bench warrant for their arrest.
The arrest and remand of Nwadike mark a turning point in the fight against politically motivated cyberbullying and hate speech in Imo State, and authorities have vowed to pursue the matter to its logical conclusion.
Efforts are ongoing to locate and apprehend the other suspects now declared wanted, while legal teams representing the victim have reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring justice is served, in line with constitutional guarantees and criminal procedure laws.
