Pastor Paul Enenche, Senior Pastor at Dunamis International Gospel Centre in Abuja, has bowed to pressure by dropping his cyberbullying and criminal defamation case against his younger brother, Alexander Enenche, and former presidential aide, Reno Omokri.
The case was discontinued after widespread criticism, with Pastor Enenche’s legal team applying to withdraw the charges against Omokri and Alexander Enenche.
The court granted the application without objection from the defence counsel, S. M. Oyeghe, Esq.
However, the case took a new turn when Pastor Enenche filed a First Information Report (FIR) on January 30, 2025.
Bellnews learnt that Pastor Paul Enenche has vowed to continue his prosecution of a former pastor of the church Abraham Daniel and Peter Enenche, who pleaded not guilty to the FIR.
Alexander Enenche, Peter Enenche and Pastor Abraham Daniel were earlier arrested and detained over allegations of cyberbullying and criminal defamation against Pastor Paul Enenche.
Pastor Daniel and Peter Enenche are being charged with criminal conspiracy, cyber stalking and defamation of character.
Following their plea of not guilty, defence counsel S. M. Oyeghe, Esq., successfully applied for their bail orally, with the prosecution countering on points of law.
However, Chief Magistrate Emmanuel Iyanna changed his decision after a heated argument erupted between the defence lawyers and an officer of the Nigerian Correctional Service, who attempted to seize a phone from the lawyer within the court premises.
Sources told Bellnews that the Magistrate abruptly and angrily adjourned the case to February 7, 2025, for the hearing of the bail motion, insisting that a formal written motion for bail be submitted, contrary to his earlier decision permitting an oral application.
The FIR filed on January 30, 2025 described the nature of information as criminal conspiracy, cyber stalking and defamation of character.
It reads, “A Petition was writing (sic) by a concern (sic) Christian youth forum, That you, Obonyito Enenche Peter, ‘M’ 40yrs of Plot 424 Micheal AMS Nnachi Crescent Mabushi Abuja, Abraham Daniel M 44yrs of Jikwoyi Phase 2 Extension Karu Abuja and others at large, that some (sic) in, 2024, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable court, while in concert defame (sic) the image of the General Overseer of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, the overseer of the Redeemed church of God, via social media (WhatsApp’s and face book).
“A publication you know to be false, you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 27(1) and punishable under the principal offence of Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention) Act, 2015, contrary to Section 24 (1) (b) and punishable under Section 24 (4) Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention) Act, 2015 as Amended (2024) and punishable under Section 392 of the penal code law cap 89 laws of Northern Nigeria 1963.
It was signed by Barrister F.G. Gabriel, Directions of Officer In-charge Police Station (Force CID Abuja)
Background
On Friday, January 17, 2025, SaharaReporters reported that the Nigeria Police Force had secured an order from the Chief Magistrate Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Wuse Zone 6, Abuja to remand Mr Omokri, a social media influencer, in prison custody along with a former Dunamis Church Pastor, Abraham Daniel along with two others – Mr. Enenche Enenche and Alexander Enenche.
The court presided over by His Worship, Chief Emmanuel A. Iyanna, issued the remand warrant through an ex-parte motion filed by the Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun on January 13, 2025.
Granting the ex-parte application filed by Francis Gabriel, Esq. on behalf of the police chief, in a motion numbered ME/07/2025 between the Inspector General of Police as the Applicant and Mr. Daniel Abraham, Mr. Enenche Idoga Alexander, Oboyinlo Enenche Peter and Mr. Reno Omokri as 1st to 4th Respondents, the Chief Magistrate directed the police to produce the Respondents in court on January 30.
Iyanna held: “Upon hearing the application and submissions of learned Francis Gabriel, Esq., and upon careful consideration of the averments, the annextures and issues as raised in the submissions of the applicant. The application is hereby granted as prayed.
“It Is hereby ordered as follows: An Order of this Honourable Court for remand warrant of the Respondents (i) Mr. Daniel Abraham (ii) Mr. Enenche Idoga Alexander (iii) Oboyinlo Enenche Peter and (iv) Mr. Reno Omokri in the custody of the Nigeria Correctional Service pending investigation, arraignment/prosecution.
“It is hereby ordered that the Respondents be arraigned before a court of competent jurisdiction after the conclusion of the said investigation.
“On the return date, the Respondents should be produced.
“The matter is adjourned to 30th day of January, 2025.”
The remand warrant was predicated on a petition to the Inspector General of Police by Patrick O. Okolo, SAN against Mr Reno Omokri, Gistlover Blog, Aunty Adul, Peter Obonyiro, Kelechi TV and their agents and co-conspirators for alleged defamation.