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2 hours ago
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Pastor Paul Enenche, the Senior Pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, has withdrawn his criminal defamation and cyberbullying charges against his younger brother, Alexander Enenche, and former presidential aide, Reno Omokri.
However, he remains committed to prosecuting former Dunamis pastor Abraham Daniel and another defendant, Peter Enenche.
The decision to drop the case against Omokri and Alexander Enenche followed intense public criticism.
Pastor Enenche’s legal team formally applied to discontinue the charges, which the court granted without objection from the defence.
Despite this withdrawal, Pastor Enenche has escalated legal action against Daniel and Peter Enenche.
On January 30, 2025, he filed a First Information Report (FIR) against them, accusing them of criminal conspiracy, cyberstalking, and defamation of character.
Both men pleaded not guilty, and their lawyer, S. M. Oyeghe, Esq., applied for their bail.
However, the courtroom atmosphere turned tense when a Nigerian Correctional Service officer attempted to seize a lawyer’s phone, leading to an altercation.
In response, Chief Magistrate Emmanuel Iyanna reversed his initial approval of oral bail applications and demanded a formal written motion, adjourning the hearing to February 7, 2025.
The FIR claims the accused individuals, alongside others at large, engaged in a coordinated effort to defame Pastor Enenche and another high-profile religious leader on social media, including WhatsApp and Facebook.
According to the police report, the actions of the accused violate the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention) Act of 2015, as amended in 2024, and Section 392 of the Penal Code Law of Northern Nigeria.
The charges stem from a petition filed by a Concerned Christian Youth Forum, leading to a police investigation and arrests.
Recall that the Nigeria Police Force, acting on a court order, had arrested and detained Reno Omokri, Abraham Daniel, Alexander Enenche, and Peter Enenche on defamation charges.
The Chief Magistrate’s Court in Wuse Zone 6, Abuja, initially approved their remand in custody following an ex-parte motion filed by the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
The accused were to remain detained pending further investigations and their formal arraignment.
However, with Omokri and Alexander Enenche now free from legal proceedings, attention shifts to the upcoming February 7 bail hearing for Daniel and Peter Enenche.
This high-profile legal battle continues to spark debate over religious leadership, media freedom, and defamation laws in Nigeria.
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