Court remands Austin Okai over alleged cyberstalking, criminal defamation

A Magistrate Court sitting in Lokoja, Kogi State, on Friday granted the demand of the prosecution in the cyberstalking and criminal defamation case against Mr Austin Okai to enable the Department of State Services (DSS) to conclude their investigations into the allegations.

The decision of the DSS to seek remand in prison custody was to ensure compliance with the law by not keeping the accused beyond 48 hours in custody without the lawful permission of the court, in line with the Criminal Justice System of Nigeria.

In his ruling on the matter, Magistrate Mobah Abdullahi of the Chief Magistrate Court 1, sitting at Lugard Court, granted the application of the Prosecution.

Mr Okai has been remanded at the Federal Correctional Centre, Kabba, while the case was adjourned to 13 March 2025.

Mr Okai is facing trial for his allegation on social media that the Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Ododo, allegedly stole billions of naira meant for the Local Government Councils in the state, as well as some Agencies under the State Government.