Anambra Court Adjourns Osita Obi’s Criminal Defamation Case to January 2027

By Solo Mokwugwo| AnambraDaily

A Magistrate Court sitting in Amawbia, Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State, has adjourned the criminal defamation case involving Anambra-based activist, Comrade Osita Obi, to January 28, 2027, to enable the parties to obtain necessary documents ahead of the hearing.

The case, filed by the Catholic Diocese of Awka, is being heard by Magistrate Court 4 under the presiding Magistrate, Her Worship E.C. Chukwu.

Obi, Convener of the Recover Nigeria Project, is facing trial over allegations that he published defamatory statements against the Catholic Diocese of Awka and a priest associated with the Church.

The suit, marked MAW/345C/2025, is between the Commissioner of Police and Osita Obi.

According to the charge, the activist allegedly published statements through his Facebook page, OSITA OBI, and another page identified as IGBO HISTORY, in which he reportedly compared the Catholic Diocese of Awka to Boko Haram and stated that dealing with Lucifer was preferable to dealing with the diocese.

The charge, instituted by Rev. Fr. Chudy Aguinam on behalf of the diocese, alleges that the statements were made knowingly and intentionally to damage the reputation of the priest and the diocese.

It further alleges that the publications exposed the priest and the diocese to hatred, contempt and ridicule among members of the public.

The allegations are yet to be determined by the court.

Prosecution Seeks Adjournment

At the resumed hearing on Thursday, October 15, 2026, counsel to the Catholic Diocese of Awka, Mr. J.A. Obiajulu, Esq., announced his appearance before the court.

Obiajulu informed the court that he had obtained a fiat authorising him to take over the prosecution from police counsel, Mr. A.G. Obi, Esq., who had handled the case from its inception.

He subsequently applied for an adjournment, explaining that he needed time to obtain relevant files and documents from the police, study the case records and prepare to proceed with the prosecution.

Counsel to the defendant, Mr. Martins Obi, Esq., did not oppose the application but raised concerns over the time already available to the new prosecuting counsel.

The defence counsel noted that the fiat had reportedly been obtained more than seven months earlier, arguing that the period should have been sufficient for the prosecution to secure the necessary documents from the police.

Defence Raises Concerns Over Police Documents

In a further submission, Martins Obi reminded the court that the defence had filed a Notice to Produce in November 2025, requesting relevant documents relating to the outcome of police investigations into the matter.

He expressed concern that the requested documents had not been made available to the defence despite the passage of several months.

According to the defence counsel, access to the documents was necessary to enable the defendant to prepare an adequate defence.

He relied on Section 36(6)(b) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, which guarantees an accused person the right to adequate time and facilities to prepare a defence.

The defence maintained that access to the relevant investigative documents was essential to ensuring a fair trial.

Court Fixes January 28, 2027, for Hearing

After listening to submissions from both parties, Magistrate Chukwu adjourned the case to January 28, 2027, for hearing and to allow the parties to obtain the necessary documents to pursue their respective cases.

The adjournment leaves the matter pending before the court, with the next hearing expected to provide an opportunity for further proceedings.

The case underscores the importance of timely access to relevant case documents in criminal proceedings, particularly where such materials are necessary for the preparation of a defence.

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