Awka Catholic Diocese-Obi Defamation Case Stalls as Defence Alleges Police Withholding Documents
The Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Paulinus Ezeokafor and Human Rights Activist Comrade Osita Obi
By Titus Eleweke
Magistrate Court 4, sitting in Amawbia, Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State, presided over by Her Worship E.C. Chukwu, has adjourned a criminal defamation case involving Anambra-based activist, Comrade Osita Obi, to January 28, 2027, for further hearing.
Obi, convener of the Recover Nigeria Project, a pressure group, is standing trial over alleged defamatory statements allegedly against the Catholic Diocese of Awka.
In the suit marked MAW/345C/2025, between the Commissioner of Police and Osita Obi, the activist was accused, among other allegations, of knowingly and intentionally publishing defamatory statements on his Facebook page, known as OSITA OBI, and another Facebook page, IGBO HISTORY.
The statements allegedly described the Catholic Diocese of Awka as being no better than Boko Haram bandits and claimed that dealing with Lucifer was preferable to dealing with the diocese.
The charge, instituted by Rev. Fr. Chudy Aguinam on behalf of the diocese, alleged that the defendant made the statements knowing them to be false and with the intention of injuring the reputation of the priest and the diocese.
It further alleged that the publications exposed the priest and the diocese to hatred, contempt and ridicule among right-thinking members of the public.
At the resumed hearing on Thursday, October 15, counsel to the Catholic Diocese of Awka, Mr. J.A. Obiajulu (Esq.), announced his appearance before the court.
He informed the court that he had obtained a fiat authorising him to take over the prosecution of the case from the police counsel, Mr. A.G. Obi (Esq.), who had handled the matter from its inception.
Obiajulu, however, applied for an adjournment to enable him to obtain the necessary files and documents from the police, study the case file and prepare to proceed with the prosecution.
Counsel to the defendant, Mr. Martins Obi (Esq.), did not oppose the application.
He, however, informed the court that the fiat had been obtained more than seven months earlier, arguing that the period was sufficient for the prosecution counsel to have obtained the necessary documents from the police.
The defence counsel also reminded the court that he had filed a Notice to Produce in November 2025, requesting certain documents which, according to him, the police had yet to provide.
He urged the court to ensure that the police furnished him with the relevant documents relating to the outcome of their investigations into the matter to enable him to prepare his defence adequately.
Obi’s counsel expressed concern that nearly one year after requesting the documents, the police had still not supplied them as demanded.
He cited Section 36(6)(b) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, which guarantees the right of every person charged with a criminal offence to adequate time and facilities to prepare a defence.
The defence counsel maintained that access to the necessary documents was essential to the preparation of his client’s defence.
After listening to the submissions of both parties, the presiding magistrate, Her Worship E.C. Chukwu, adjourned the matter to January 28, 2027, for further hearing and to enable the parties to obtain the necessary documents to pursue their respective cases.
