By Amos Aar
THE 35–YEAR-OLD man, Mr PaulGyenger, remanded in prison custody last Wednesday by a Makurdi Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly calling Benue State governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, “a chronic womanizer” on Facebook has been released.
Gyenger, who lives in Makurdi, was charged with ‘cyberstalking’ and ‘defamation of character’.
Although information about Gyenger’s release regarding bail conditions are yet to be ascertained as he could not be reached, his friend, Timothy Iortyer, posted their picture on Facebook on Saturday at the Federal Correctional Service, Makurdi, announcing his freedom.
Our correspondent gathered that Gyenger’s phone was not given to him upon release because it was kept as exhibit pending the end of the matter in the court.
Flashback
When Gyenger appeared before Makurdi Chief Magistrate, Mr Kelvin Mbanongun, last week, he did not take the plea for want in jurisdiction as the court adjourned the matter until December 17, 2024 for further mention.
The prosecution counsel, Inspector Godwin Ato, told the court that the case was reported at the Anti-cyber-crimes and Narcotics Unit, Makurdi by the ADC to the governor, ASP Ver Ingyatu, on October 16, 2024.
According to Inspector Ato, ASP Ingyatu also alleged that the suspect posted on a Facebook account bearing ‘Terna Sunday Tyo’ that, “the Governor is a chronic womanizer’.
Ingyatu was also said to have alleged that the suspect also used abusive words in Tiv Language to defame the character of the governor in different ways on the same Facebook account.
The prosecutor said that the suspect was arrested after police investigation.
Ato further said the offence contravened the provisions of Sections 24 of the Cyber-crimes Act, 2015 and 393 of the penal code of Benue, 2004.
Gyenger linked with
Gyenger, alleged to be a social media activist of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), had been arrested and detained on August 25, 2023 by the Benue State Police Command following a petition by Governor Alia.
Gyenger was said to have then posted on a Facebook that Governor Alia had diverted the sum of N2 billion, being part of subsidy palliative sent to Benue State by the federal government.
National Record had searched Gyenger’s Facebook timeline and found the post which read: “Two Billion Naira of the Five Billion naira was disbursed to state governors last week. Other governors including those of Borno and Kaduna confirmed the alert. However, it is alleged that Gov. Alia diverted the funds meant for Benue State to finish building his N7 Billion house in Guzape, Abuja”.
Gyenger made the allegation on his Facebook wall on August 18, 2023, four days before Governor Alia announced the receipt of the N2 billion to Benue people on August 22 when he flagged off the distribution of federal government assisted relief materials for 2022 flood victims in the state.
Gyenger, who was subsequently arraigned and remanded at the Makurdi prison, was eventually released on the intervention of the PDP.
He was to later sue Governor Alia, the Benue State Government, the Benue State Police Command, and Attorney General of the State as 1st 2nd, 3rd and 4th respondents respectively, at the Makurdi Division of the Benue State High Court for allegedly violating his fundamental human rights by continuously detaining him over a civil matter that was not criminal in nature.
He had claimed the sum of N200 million for alleged harassment, humiliation and continuous detention.
