Enugu Man Sent to Prison Over Political Meeting Attack

(NDC. Photo by Guardian Nigeria News)

An Enugu East Magistrate's Court in Nkwo Nike has sent a 45-year-old man, Ani Chidi, to prison custody over a video of an attack on members of the Nigeria Democratic Congress during a political meeting in Obuoffia Awkunanaw.

The Enugu State Police Command took Chidi to court on Monday on three counts linked to cybercrime and criminal defamation under Section 24(2)(a)&(c)(i) of the Cybercrime Act, 2015 (as amended 2024).

The case was heard by Chief Magistrate F. E. Chukwu.

Police say Chidi recorded and shared the video of the September 12, 2026 attack on all online platforms.

They claim he falsely named three men, Ani Nnabuike, Solomon Ifeanyi and Monday Anninwe, as part of the armed group that stormed the meeting.

The charge sheet says Chidi also threatened to kill Nnabuike and his family, and that the post made Nnabuike fear an attack from members of the public.

After the police prosecutor, Ajogwu, presented the case, the magistrate ordered that Chidi be remanded in prison.

The Enugu NDC has reacted angrily.

In a statement on Tuesday signed by Sampson Ukwu, media aide to its governorship candidate, Sir Christian Chinyeaka Ohaa, the party said the police have turned on the witness who captured the violence while freeing the people behind the gun attack.

The party named the man as Chidi Ezeani. It said he narrowly escaped the attack and is now being targeted by the state to silence him.

It also claimed the Attorney General of Enugu State is behind what it called trumped-up charges.

The NDC told Governor Peter Mbah to stop suffocating the people and let Enugu residents breathe.

It also urged the police to stay away from what it called an abuse of the court process, and asked the state government to allow a fair and independent investigation into the Obuoffia violence.