After spending more than six weeks in police custody without trial, Nigerian journalist Friday Alefia, publisher of Naija News Today (formerly Asiwaju Media), is finally set to be arraigned before a Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday.
Mr Alefia, who was arrested in Lagos on 23 September, will face a five-count charge bordering on alleged cybercrimes. The charges stem from a series of investigative reports critical of Chinedu Ogah, a member of the House of Representatives representing Ezza South/Ikwo Federal Constituency in Ebonyi State.
Family members told PREMIUM TIMES that the journalist has been held at the detention facility of the now-defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in Abuja, despite repeated appeals for his release or arraignment.
“We’ve written to the police several times, asking them to either charge him to court or let him go,” said Chijioke Alefia, a relative. “Friday is a journalist and also a constituent. He voted and has the right to question his representation.”
According to his family, the prolonged detention has taken a toll on his health.
“He’s been taken to the hospital twice already,” Mr Alefia’s relative added. “We paid all the medical bills ourselves.”
The Charges
A charge sheet dated 8 October and seen by PREMIUM TIMES lists Friday Alefia as the first defendant and Asiwaju Media Company Ltd as the second. The Commissioner of Police is named as the complainant. The case, numbered FHC/ABJ/CR/53/2025, will be heard by Justice Obiora Egwuatu.
In count one, the police allege conspiracy to publish false information via computer systems and social media platforms.
Count two accuses the defendants of publishing a report titled “How Federal Lawmaker Ogah Snatches Village Land in Ebonyi”, allegedly knowing it to be false.
Count three involves a Facebook post quoting Mr Ogah as saying, “I rigged senatorial poll against Emmanuel Onwe.”
Count four and count five cite further reports the police say are false — including “Ebonyi Rep Member Returns ₦4 Million Amidst Extortion Allegations” and “Ebonyi Rep Member Threatens Constituent for Supporting Charity Foundation.”
Prosecutors claim all five counts violate Section 24(2)(a) of the Cybercrimes Amendment Act and are punishable under Section 24(2)(c)(i).
Reports That Sparked the Petition
Sources say the charges arose from reports published by Naija News Today in late 2024, which questioned Mr Ogah’s political ambitions and leadership record. One article, “Ogah’s Political Future Uncertain Amid Senate Rumours,” reportedly angered the lawmaker and led to a petition to the police.
Mr Alefia’s lawyer and family insist the journalist is being persecuted for doing his job.
“This is not just about Friday,” said a family member. “It’s about press freedom and the right to hold elected officials accountable.”
