The Court of Appeal sitting in Calabar has affirmed the decision of the Akwa Ibom State High Court, Uyo, refusing to grant bail to a Facebook user, Princess God’sown Udoito, who is standing trial over alleged defamatory publications against the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno.
In a unanimous judgment delivered on Thursday, the three-member panel of the appellate court dismissed Udoito’s appeal challenging the High Court’s refusal to admit her to bail. The judgment was delivered by Hon. Justice Mohammed Ambi-Usi Danjuma, who upheld the lower court’s decision.
The ruling means that the appellant will remain in custody pending the determination of the criminal charges against her before the trial court.
The case centres on allegations that she published defamatory content about the state governor on Facebook.
Chief State Counsel, Utomobong Inyang, Esq., represented the Akwa Ibom State Government, while the appellant was represented by senior lawyer, Akpadiaha Ebitu, Esq.
The substantive trial is expected to continue before the Akwa Ibom State High Court in Uyo. (Source, Harrison Essien).
