Makurdi court to rule on cyberstalking jurisdiction in case against journalist Henry Ibya

|By Adejumo Adekunle-

-Magistrate decries delay in investigation since April
-Prosecution, defence clash over legal procedure and readiness

A Makurdi Chief Magistrates’ Court has set August 19, 2025, to rule on whether it has jurisdiction to hear a cyberstalking case filed against journalist Henry Ibya, following sharp disagreements between prosecution and defence over the conduct and status of the case.

Presiding Magistrate Kevin Mbanongun fixed the date after expressing dissatisfaction with the delay in police investigations since the case began in April 2025. The court is considering its legal competence to try charges bordering on cybercrimes.

Ibya, a correspondent with Aljazirah newspaper, is being prosecuted by the Benue State Police Command for alleged cyberbullying, defamation, and publishing injurious falsehood. The charges stem from a petition filed by Terna Abuul, Director of ICT at Moses Orshio Adasu University, Makurdi, who claims that the journalist made false allegations against him in the media.

When the matter came up for hearing, Magistrate Mbanongun noted that the court had not struck out the case initially due to the cyberstalking charge. He, however, criticised the prosecution’s failure to complete its investigation nearly four months after the first appearance of the accused.

Defence counsel Tom Uja faulted the prosecution’s request for more time, describing it as “bad practice” and accusing the complainant of deliberately avoiding court appearances to frustrate the defendant and subject him to psychological stress.

Standing in for the prosecuting counsel, MT Testim, countered the defence’s position, challenging the court’s jurisdiction to hear the matter and accusing the defence of inconsistency in its arguments.

The ruling on jurisdiction is expected to determine whether the case will proceed at the magistrates’ level or be referred to a higher court.