By Tony Okafor, Awka
The Catholic Diocese of Awka on Friday arraigned Anambra-based human rights activist, Comrade Osita Obi, before Magistrate Court 4, sitting in Amawbia, Awka South Local Government Area, on a charge of defamation.
According to the charge sheet obtained by our correspondent (Charge No. AWK/C/2025), the case is between the Commissioner of Police, Anambra State, and the activist, Osita Obi.
The document described him as a 40-year-old, though records show that Obi is 64.
The charge reads:“That you, Osita Obi ‘m’ of Ezewuzie Street, Ifite, Awka, on or about the 15th day of August 2025, at Awka within the Awka Magisterial District, did knowingly and intentionally publish defamatory statements through your Facebook page known as ‘OSITA OBI’ and another Facebook page known as ‘IGBO HISTORY’, wherein you alleged that the Catholic Diocese of Awka was no better than Boko Haram and bandits, and that it was better to deal with Lucifer than with the said Church.
The said statement, which you knew to be false, was calculated to injure the reputation of Rev. Fr. Chudy P. S. Aguinam and members of the Catholic Diocese of Awka, exposing them to hatred, contempt, and ridicule before right-thinking members of the public.
“You thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 324(a) and punishable under Section 325 of the Criminal Code, Cap 36, Vol. II, Revised Laws of Anambra State of Nigeria, 1991.”
When the charge was read, the defendant, Comrade Osita Obi, pleaded not guilty.
Counsel to the defendant, Blessing Arinze-Obi, who held brief for Martins Obi Esq., applied for bail, urging the court to grant the defendant bail on grounds of good character and responsible conduct. She assured the court that the defendant would not abscond if granted bail.
In response, I. G. Umeh, holding brief for the prosecuting counsel, A. G. Obi Esq. of the Legal Department, Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Awka, said the prosecution did not oppose the bail application.
However, she urged the court to caution the defendant against making further inflammatory or prejudicial statements while the matter is pending.
During the proceedings, the presiding Magistrate, E. C. Chukwu, asked the defendant if he had any personal issues with the Awka Catholic Diocese.
In reply, Obi admitted there had been disputes, alleging that the Diocese had earlier petitioned the police against his wife, a retired Deputy Director of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), accusing her of aiding and abetting kidnapping.
“The police came to my wife’s shop, arrested her, and detained her for several hours. I have petitioned the Commissioner of Police requesting details of their findings, but up till now, they have not furnished me with any report. This situation has endangered my family and children,” he said.
Obi further alleged that after his wife’s retirement, she rented a shop for business, but that the Catholic Diocese of Awka allegedly broke into the shop and threw her goods out in the rain.
“They claimed they had obtained a court judgment against my wife without serving her any court process,” he added.
He accused the Diocese of portraying his wife as a criminal and humiliating her publicly.
Defence counsel Blessing Arinze-Obi also informed the court that there is a pending civil matter between Obi’s family and the Catholic Diocese of Awka before the magistrate court, seeking to set aside an alleged order purportedly obtained by the Diocese to claim ownership of the disputed property.
According to her, the Diocese had described the defendants in that suit as “unknown persons” and therefore never served them with court processes.
After listening to both parties, Magistrate E. C. Chukwu granted bail to Comrade Osita Obi in the sum of ₦200,000 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira), with one surety not below Grade Level 10 in the civil service.
The court further restrained both parties from making any further inflammatory or prejudicial statements concerning the case pending its determination.
The matter was adjourned to December 15, 2025, for the commencement of trial.
