A blogger identified as Abdulhamid Deflowerboy has been arrested in Kogi State over alleged defamation of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo through a series of online publications.
Reports indicate that Deflowerboy was invited for questioning by the police following accusations that he published defamatory content against the governor. His invitation culminated in formal arraignment and subsequent remand by the court.
Confirming the development, the Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, stated that the government acted within the confines of the law by petitioning the Commissioner of Police to investigate the matter.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the state government followed due legal process by petitioning the Commissioner of Police to investigate the matter and invite the individual in question to prove his allegations,” Fanwo said in a press release quoted by The Nation.
He added that Abdulhamid voluntarily honoured the police invitation and admitted to authoring the defamatory publication. He was thereafter charged and remanded by a competent court.
The commissioner dismissed claims circulating on social media that the blogger was being detained without trial, describing them as false, baseless, and intended to mislead the public.
“Defamation is a criminal offence in Nigeria, not an expression of free speech,” Fanwo emphasised. “It can destroy reputations built over decades and plunge innocent individuals into disrepute.”
Fanwo further alleged that the blogger was sponsored by political opponents dissatisfied with Governor Ododo’s policies and reforms.
“Sadly, Abdulhamid allowed himself to be used by disgruntled political elements who remain bitter over Governor Ododo’s bold decision to prioritise the welfare of the people above the personal interests of a few,” he said.
He maintained that the Ododo-led administration remains committed to inclusive development, highlighting its investments in roads, education, healthcare, agriculture, and civil service welfare.
“This administration, under His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, has earned the trust of the people through massive investments in road construction, education, healthcare, agriculture, and civil service welfare,” Fanwo noted.
He also cited ongoing projects in erosion control, electrification, school infrastructure, and pensioner support as evidence of the government’s dedication to development across the state.
Legal proceedings are expected to continue as the state government has vowed to see the matter through to its conclusion in court.
