Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
An Owerri Magistrate Court has remanded a 33-year-old computer programmer, Victor Ude Chikadibia, in prison custody over allegations of cybercrime, criminal intimidation, and defamation directed at a sitting judicial officer. Magistrate Ariche Ihuaku Adaoha ordered Ude's remand on Thursday, September 3, 2026, following his arraignment by the Imo State Police Command on a five-count charge bordering on cyberstalking, threats to life, and public ridicule under the Cybercrimes Act .
Ude's legal troubles began when he took to social media to accuse an Imo State Magistrate, His Worship Akunna Chidinma Opara, of leveraging her judicial office to shield a senior clergyman, Apostle Love Judah of Truth Assembly International Churches, from allegations of sexual misconduct against Ude's wife . According to family accounts, Ude had served under Apostle Judah for nine years before his wife, Miracle, allegedly disclosed that the clergyman had engaged in an illicit sexual relationship with her . The dispute escalated when Miracle's father confronted Apostle Judah, who allegedly discussed the matter with Magistrate Akunna, who also serves as a pastor in the ministry .
Subsequent interventions by Magistrate Akunna prompted Ude to publish scathing posts on social media, in which he captioned photographs of her in judicial and legal attire as an "illegal wife" of the pastor and a "charge and bail Magistrate who rose to the top through fornication," alleging she used her position to intimidate citizens . He also issued recorded voice notes warning the magistrate to "wait for the worst" . One of the posts reads: "How can a pastor sleep with his member's wives and his pastor's wives finish and he wants to go free just like that..NEVER!!! Apostle Love Judah! Your Magistrate one of your illegal wives 'his worship AKUNNA CHIDINMA OPARA' will never save you this time..." .
Following the posts, police officers allegedly brought Ude from his residence in Abuja to Owerri, where he has remained in custody since August 20 without administrative bail . He is facing charges including criminal defamation and threat to life . Ude's father, Caleb Ude, alleged that police personnel had been demanding money from the family for his son's food during his detention. "They collect ₦2,000 every day from us before they give him food. N1,000 for every meal I bought to give and I give him food twice daily," he told SaharaReporters .
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Imo State Command, Henry Okoye, said he was not aware of the matter. "Until this your call, I was not aware of this matter and I can assure you that I will look into the matter," Okoye said . Legal representatives and human rights advocates are preparing to appear on Ude's behalf before the magistrate's court to challenge his detention and seek bail .
The case has raised serious questions about the use of criminal defamation charges to silence critics and the alleged misuse of judicial authority to shield powerful individuals from accountability. Human rights organisations have condemned Ude's arrest and detention, describing it as an attack on freedom of expression and a violation of his fundamental rights. As the case continues, all eyes will be on the Imo State judiciary to see whether justice will prevail or whether this will become another case of institutional impunity.
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