A member of the House of Representatives, Amobi Godwin Ogah, has been remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja following an order of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court over allegations of criminal defamation and false declaration.
Justice Yusuf Halilu ordered the lawmaker’s remand after he was arrested and brought before the court in connection with an ongoing criminal case filed by the Federal Government.
According to a warrant of commitment dated June 24, 2026, Ogah, who represents Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency of Abia State, will remain in custody pending further proceedings in the matter, which is scheduled to resume on July 6.
The court document directed prison authorities to keep the lawmaker in custody until further orders and, if no decision is reached by the next adjourned date, to produce him before the court for further directives.
The Federal Government had, on July 31, 2024, filed a five-count charge against the lawmaker, accusing him of making false declarations and defamatory statements against former Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha.
According to the charge, Ogah allegedly swore to an affidavit in May 2023 claiming that Onyejeocha had told supporters she had influenced judges handling an election tribunal matter. Prosecutors contend that the claims were knowingly false and intended to damage her reputation.
The government further alleged that the lawmaker falsely accused the former minister of influencing changes in the composition of an election tribunal panel to secure a favourable judgment in an electoral dispute.
In one of the counts, prosecutors accused Ogah of making statements designed to tarnish Onyejeocha’s image, resulting in reputational harm.
The charges were brought under provisions of the Penal Code relating to false declarations and criminal defamation.
The case is expected to continue on July 6, when the court will determine the next course of action in the trial.
