A senior special assistant on Media and Public Affairs to Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, Curtis Eghosa Ugbo, was on Thursday, April 14, 2016 arraigned before Magistrate, C. A. Nwoha of an Oredo Magistrate Court for criticising the governor on social media tagged: “What’s wrong with my boss?”
Ugbo, 47, was arraigned on a three-count charge of publishing an article against the governor in a manner likely to cause breach of public peace and illegally possessing a double barrel gun without a duly acquired valid license.
The offence according to the prosecutor, breached the dictates of Section 430 (2) of the Criminal Code, Cap 48, Vol. II, laws of the Defunct Bendel State of Nigeria 1976 as applicable in Edo State.
According to the police prosecutor, Inspector S. E. Iredia, the defendant committed the offence on Tuesday, April 12, 2016 at No 2b Ugbor Road in Benin City, Edo State.
The charge reads: “That you, Curtis Eghosa Ugbo, ‘m’, on the 12th April, 2016 at No. 2b, Ugbor Road, Benin City in Oredo Magisterial District did made a publication in internet, with the caption: “What’s wrong with my boss?”
“The ground-breaking of Edo State own cement industry in partnership with a private company under Government Public Private Partnership and stakeholders, no State House Members or Speaker and National Assembly Member Presence Notice. Is Edo State now a personal business of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole?”
“Knowing same to be capable of disturbing public peace and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 59 (1) of the Criminal Code, Cap 48, Vol. II, Laws of the defunct Bendel State of Nigeria 1976, as applicable in Edo State.
Ugbo pleaded not guilty to the charges pressed against him and was granted bail in the sum of N100, 000.00.
Nwoha further ordered Ugbo to present a surety in like sum, who must own a property with Certificate of Occupancy in the district.
