By Chidinma Ikenna-Imoeze
Seven persons have been remanded in Abakaliki Correctional Centre for unlawfully accessing call logs of one Chief Donatus Aja former Commissioner of Border, peace and Conflict Resolution in Ebonyi State.
They were arraigned before the Federal High Court sitting in Abakaliki, on three counts charges boarding on conspiracy and cyber crime.
The suspects identified as Ekuma Joseph Egwu, Obila Titus Nwachi, Francis Obila Egwu , Emmanuel Oko Eluu, Emmanuel Oko Obila, Joel Obila , Igwe Christian Ogbonnaya all pleaded not guilty to the crime.
According to information gathered, they where said to have intercepted by technical means, network signals from a Huawie phone bearing MTN sim number: 08034514835, belonging to Donatus Ezeogo Aja and illegally obtained personal and private data thereby committed an offense punishable under section 12(1) of Cyber Crime Prohibition, prevention, etc Act, Laws of Federation of Nigeria, 2015.
Count three of the charge reads, “That you, Ekuma Joseph Egwu ‘M’, Obila Titus Nwachi ‘M’, Francis Obila Egwu ‘M’, Emmanuel Oko Eluu ‘M’, Emmanuel Oko Obila’M’, Joel Obila ‘M’, Igwe Christian Ogbonnaya ‘M’ and others at large, on the same date and place in the jurisdiction of this Honourable court did by means of false pretence, induce one Umedi Surname unknown to deliver call log data of one Donatus Ezeogo Aja ‘M’ with MTN no. 08034514835 without any lawful authority nor his consent and thereby committed an offense punishable under section 12 (2) of Cyber Crime Prohibition, Prevention etc Act Law of Federation of Nigeria, 2015.
The defense counsel, Barr. Okporie in an oral plea, prayed the court to grant the accused persons bail, but the persecuting council, Barr. Eze Ndubuaku opposed the application.
According to the prosecuting counsel, the law prohibits illegal acquiring of people’s private data, using an advanced technology. The presiding judge, Justice Akintayo Aluko, in his ruling, granted the accused bail with conditions.
The matter was adjourned to 25th October, 2020 for continuation of hearing.
