Police drop defamation charge against Bayelsa-based journalist

The police command in Bayelsa has dropped a defamation charge it filed against a Bayelsa-based journalist, Mr Nengi Owei-Ilagha.

The journalist was charged before a Federal High Court in Yenagoa.

He was alleged to have made defamatory posts against Mr Emmanuel Chiefson on Facebook.

Chiefson is a member of the Police Community Relations Committee in Bayelsa.

The prosecutor, Mr Monday Benabo, who had earlier sought an adjournment to seek out-of-court resolution of the case, announced willingness to withdraw the charge, on Tuesday.

Justice Isa Dashen subsequently struck out the case.

Owei-Ilagha was arraigned on Jan. 16 by the police, which filed a three-count charge against him.

The suit marked FHC/YNG/88C/2022 was filed before Justice Emmanuel Gakko.

Dashen inherited the case following transfer of Gakko.