A Bayelsa State-based journalist, Nengi Owei-Ilagha, has been docked in the Federal High Court, Yenagoa for allegedly making defamatory posts against Emmanuel Chiefson on Facebook.
Chiefson is a member of the Police Community Relations Committee in Bayelsa State.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Commissioner of Police, Ben Okolo, filed the three counts charge, marked: FHC/YNG/88C/2022, before Justice Emmanuel Gakko.
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
His Counsel, Godfrey Otiotio, moved an application for bail as the defendant, earlier granted administrative bail by the Police, was ready to present himself for trial.
Speaking on the application, M.Y. Benabo , Prosecution Counsel, noted that although he was not opposing the bail, the court should bar the defendant from making comments on social media that could prejudice the outcome of the case.
Otiotio pledged that he will not make comments in the media as it would amount to prejudice and would advise his client to do the same.
Ruling on the bail application, the trial judge admitted the media practitioner to bail in the sum of N1 million and one surety, preferably the same surety in the administrative bail earlier granted by the Police.
Justice Gakko noted that the media has played and continue to play positive roles in the society, but harped that it is unlawful for the media to preempt the outcome of cases before the judiciary.