A fresh legal battle has unfolded in the nation’s capital as a serving member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Amobi Godwin Ogah, has been remanded in the Kuje Correctional Centre, Abuja, following allegations of criminal defamation and false declaration.
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, presided over by Justice Yusuf Halilu, ordered the detention of the lawmaker after he was arrested and brought before the court to answer charges filed against him by the Federal Government.
Hon. Ogah, who represents Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency of Abia State, is facing a five-count charge bordering on alleged criminal defamation and false statements contained in an affidavit reportedly submitted to the FCT High Court in May 2023.
According to court documents dated June 24, 2026, the lawmaker will remain in custody at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the continuation of proceedings. The case has been adjourned until July 6, 2026.
Part of the court’s warrant of commitment directed prison authorities to detain the defendant, stating: “You are hereby authorised and required to receive him and detain him in custody until further order.”
The charges stem from allegations that Hon. Ogah made statements concerning Hon. Nkeiruka Chidubem Onyejeocha, who served as Minister of State for Labour and Employment. Prosecutors claim that the lawmaker falsely alleged that judicial officers involved in an election tribunal matter had been influenced.
According to the prosecution, the affidavit allegedly contained claims that the former minister had boasted of influencing tribunal judges and judicial proceedings in her favour. The government maintains that these statements were false and defamatory.
In addition, prosecutors allege that some of the declarations were made deliberately with the intention of damaging the reputation of the former minister. The charges are said to be punishable under relevant sections of the Penal Code.
The court document further noted that if no additional order is made before the next hearing date, the defendant should be produced before the court for further directives regarding the matter.
The case has attracted widespread attention due to the prominence of the defendant as a sitting federal lawmaker and the serious nature of the allegations involved. Legal observers say the proceedings could become one of the closely watched political and judicial cases in the coming weeks.
For now, Hon. Ogah remains in custody at the Kuje Correctional Centre as both the prosecution and defence prepare for the next phase of the trial.
The court is expected to continue hearing the matter on July 6, when further arguments and evidence may be presented before Justice Halilu.
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