The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday granted an application by the police to serve a woman, Tracynither Ohiri, with court documents by substituted means in the charge preferred against her for allegedly cyberbullying the Minister of Works, Mr David Umahi.
Justice James Omotosho granted the application after the police lawyer, Wisdom Madaki, moved the motion ex-parte to the effect.
When the case was called, Madaki informed the court of their motion ex-parte filed before the court.
He said the application sought an order to effect the service of the charge and other accompanied documents on the defendant by pasting it on her Lagos residence.
He said the development followed Ohiri’s refusal to be served with the documents when he came to the court for a protest.
“The defendant came to Abuja here for a protest and the bailiff tried to serve her and she refused,” the lawyer said.
Madaki told the court that an affidavit deposed to by the court bailiff in respect of the defendant’s refusal to receive the documents was in the court file.
“She (Ohiri) is aware of the case my lord,” he added.
The judge then asked Madaki if her surety had been invited and he responded in the affirmative.
When Justice Omotosho asked the lawyer if Ohiri’s surety had forfeited her bail recognizance, Madaki however responded in the negative.
After moving the motion, the judge granted it as prayed.
The judge, therefore, threatened that if Ohiri failed to appear in court in the next adjourned date, her trial shall commence in absentia after arraignment.
Justice Omotosho subsequently adjourned the matter until Oct. 5 for arraignment and hearing.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ohiri’s arraignment by the police had been stalled for a number of times.
Justice Omotosho had, on April 16, threatened to strike out the charge against Ohiri, the sole defendant in the case.
The judge gave the warning following the inability of the prosecution to produce Ohiri in court for arraignment.
The police had, in the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/172/2026, preferred a 13 counts bordering on cyberstalking and defamation against Ohiri.
The charge, dated March 31, was filed same day by Madaki from the Directorate of Legal Services, Police Force Headquarters, Abuja.
In count one, Ohiri was alleged to have, on or about Oct. 16, 2023, intentionally transmitted through her TikTok account, a video publication wherein she accused the Minister, David Umahi, of threatening to kill her if she entered Ebonyi.
The prosecution said the statement, which she knew to be false and of a menacing character, capable of causing fear and reputational injury, is punishable under Section 24(2)(c) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024.
In count three, the defendant was alleged to have, on or about March 8, 2024, transmitted via her TikTok account, a video alleging that Umahi victimised her for refusing sexual relations and used his office to oppress women.
Count four accused her of publishing via her TikTok account, on or about May 3, 2024, alleging that Umahi tied down her business capital for 10 years due to her refusal of his sexual advances.
The police accused Ohiri in count six of publishing on Sahara Reporters and circulated on social media, on or about March 28, 2025, a statement alleging that Umahi owed her over N200 million for campaign materials which statement she knew to be false.
In count seven, she was alleged to have, on the same date and through the same medium, alleged that non-payment of her mony was a retaliation for refusal of sexual advances, which she knew was false and intended to damage reputation.
Count eight accused her of transmitting via her Facebook page, on or about Feb. 26, a video of a press conference wherein she stated that Umahi threatened to ensure she would “not leave Ebonyi State alive and that he would do to you what happened to the NELAN Engineers.”
The prosecution, in count 10, accused Ohiri of causing her publications to be widely shared, reposted and circulated across social media platforms.
This, the prosecution said, amplified the reach and impact, with intent to cause hatred, ill will and reputational injury, among other counts.
Business News6 days ago
Business News6 days ago