He was also accused of using a fake Facebook account to publish defamatory articles against Minister Lokpobiri, claiming he orchestrated the formation of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Bayelsa State.
A magistrate court in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, on Wednesday remanded Mr. Aye Egberi, head of the Social Media team of the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), to 30 days in the Okaka Medium Correctional Facility.
Egberi, 37, faces allegations of cyberstalking involving the State Police Commissioner, Mr. Francis Idu, Governor Douye Diri, and the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri.
According to the charge sheet presented before Magistrate Court 14, Egberi was arrested by Operation Puff Adder, led by CSP Chris Uwaogbo, over a series of online publications. He allegedly posted malicious claims accusing the Police Commissioner and Governor Diri of masterminding the July abduction of State High Court Judge Justice Ebiyerim Umokoro.
He was also accused of using a fake Facebook account to publish defamatory articles against Minister Lokpobiri, claiming he orchestrated the formation of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Bayelsa State.
Egberi’s publications, according to the police, were deliberate attempts to sabotage ongoing efforts by security agencies and the State Government to ensure the rescue of the abducted judge and maintain public safety.
At the hearing of suit number YMCA/747c/2025, presided over by Magistrate Stanley Ekeru, the prosecution requested that Egberi be remanded pending further investigation into the alleged cyberbullying.
According to the police prosecution counsel, Japhet O. Japhet Esq., the defendant “used the said Facebook accounts to ridicule, mock and target the State Gov, Police CP and others to cause breakdown of law and order in the state, posing a threat to them and their families.
“That the said publication is targeted at endangering the lives of the State Governor and the Police Commissioner and others,” Japhet said.
During proceedings, the police prosecution counsel, Japhet, urged the court to consider the probable cause for remanding the accused over alleged cyberstalking, an offence punishable under Section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 (as amended in 2024).
He noted that upon conviction, the offence carries a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment and a fine of ₦25 million, and is triable at the Federal High Court. Japhet emphasized that the court has the authority to remand the accused pending advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and/or arraignment at the High Court.
In his ruling, Magistrate Stanley Ekeru ordered that the accused, Mr. Aye Egberi, be remanded at the Medium Correctional Facility in Okaka while further police investigations into the charges continue.