The Federal High Court sitting in Asaba on Thursday May 22 convicted and sentenced Prince Frank Ohei to six months’ imprisonment for cyberstalking, following his defamatory online posts against Pastor Ikechukwu Okelue.
The sentence marks a dramatic fall from grace for the now-convicted executive member of the Ogwashi-Uku Development Association (ODA), who used the association’s WhatsApp group to disseminate baseless and damaging claims.
The convict, Frank Ohei, had posted several defamatory messages targeting Pastor Okelue, his family, and his church, sparking outrage and concern within the Ogwashi-Uku community.
Unable to obtain redress through informal channels, Pastor Okelue lodged a formal complaint with the police. The matter was thoroughly investigated, culminating in the filing of cyberstalking charges by the Inspector General of Police.
In court, the judge found the convict guilty as charged and handed down a six-month prison sentence.
However, in what some observers described as a moment of leniency, the court allowed the convict to pay a fine in lieu of actual incarceration, following emotional pleas by his legal counsel and family members. The convict reportedly expressed remorse for his illegal actions.
Reacting to the judgment, Pastor Okelue said he felt vindicated. “I was deeply wounded by the defamatory posts made by the convict, and even more so by the failure of the ODA executives and the group administrators to take action.
They watched in silence while my reputation was dragged through the mud,” he stated. “Let this serve as a stern warning to those who think they can destroy others online without consequence.”
Despite being a convict, Prince Frank Ohei was actively supported throughout the trial by members of the ODA executive, a move some have called a disgraceful show of misplaced solidarity.
Meanwhile, in a related cyberstalking case, Mr. Iloba Obata—who is already facing two murder charges at the Delta State High Court—is also standing trial before the Federal High Court in Asaba for publishing defamatory videos and posts in the same ODA WhatsApp group. His trial, brought by the Inspector General of Police, is ongoing.
The conviction and sentencing of Prince Frank Ohei is being hailed as a watershed moment in the fight against cyberbullying and defamation within community platforms, and a loud signal that online conduct is not above the law.
