Mr Friday Alefia, a Lagos-based journalist and publisher of the online news platform, Naija News Today, was released from prison on December 19, 2025, after spending 22 days in custody on the orders of a Federal High Court in Abuja before which he was charged with five-counts of cybercrime. His delayed release was caused by his inability to meet the stringent bail conditions imposed by the Court.
Delivering the ruling on November 27, 2026, Justice Obiora Egwuatu granted Mr Alefia bail in the sum of ₦20 million, with two sureties required to provide the same amount. The court ordered that one surety must be a federal civil servant not below Grade Level 15 and must present an employment letter, promotion letter, and official identity card, with original documents submitted for verification.
The second surety was directed to submit an affidavit of means, a six-month bank statement, and tax clearance certificates covering the past three years. The court further ruled that the residential addresses of both sureties must be verified before the bail conditions could be deemed fulfilled.
Recall that Mr Alefia’s detention stemmed from a petition by Chinedu Ogah, a member of the House of Representatives representing Ezza South/Ikwo Federal Constituency in Ebonyi State, who accused the journalist of publishing false reports.
Alefia was arrested on October 12, 2025, following a petition by Hon. Ogah, who accused him of defamation, cyberbullying, and character assassination over a report published on December 20, 2024, titled “Ogah’s Political Future Uncertain Amid Senate Rumours.” The platform also published a second article on May 15, 2025, titled “2027 — The Year Chinedu Ogah Might Finally Fade Into Political Irrelevance.” The House member found these articles critical of his political performance and, as a result, filed a petition against the journalist.
