Timeline of events
June 2020
Power Steering Newspaper, a monthly magazine published a story in his June edition alleging Minister of State for Power, Mr. Goddy Jeddy Agba involvement in Dana Airline crash in 2012 while serving as a Senior Manager with the Nigeria Nigerian Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
The magazine also alleged that Mr Agba paid to be appointed minister by President Muhammadu Buhari.
13 October 2020
The Publisher of PowerSteering Magazine, Oga Tom Uhia was arrested by the Nigerian Police for allegedly writing defamatory story against Mr Agba.
15 October 2020
Mr Uhia met his bail conditions, which included the provision of the journalist’s passport and property documents to the police, as well as a commitment by a Nigerian civil service member to act as a surety in case the journalist jumped bail.
19 October 2020
Mr Uhia’s counsel, Mr Evans Odeh said police told him that Mr Uhia had been charged with 14 counts of alleged defamation and injurious publication. He said he has not received a copy of the charges.
26 October 2020
The Nigeria Police Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, said the journalist was detained on a remand order.
Mr Odeh said that the police claimed that they got a court order from an unnamed magistrate in Nasarawa State to detain our client while a charge they filed at the FCT high Court is pending. Police have refused to disclose the court and Magistrate’s name
5 November 2020
Mr Uhia through his counsel filed an application to enforce his rights against the police and the minister. The matter is to come up on November 5, at FCT High Court before Justice Peter Affen but was stalled due to the absence of the Judge.
9 November 2020
Mr Uhia was eventually arraigned by the police before Justice A. B Mohammed of the FCT High Court 19, Gudu, Abuja on a 15-count charge bordering on defamation and injurious falsehood.
Mr Uhia granted bail in the sum of N2 million. He is also to provide a surety who is a level 15 officer with the federal civil or public service
10 November 2020
Mr Uhia was released.
10 November 2020
New date for hearing and determination of the enforcement of human rights suit before Justice Affen.
10 December 2020
Next adjournment for hearing the matter by Justice Mohammed.