On Thursday, Gyenger Paul, a prominent social media activist from Benue, found himself remanded in prison custody at the Federal Correction Center in Makurdi on charges of alleged defamation.

The accusations stemmed from a defamatory post he had published on his Facebook page targeting the State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia.

During the legal proceedings, Magistrate TK Attah denied an oral application for bail, citing a lack of jurisdiction, and subsequently ordered the activist to be held in prison. Gyenger was formally charged with cyberstalking, criminal defamation, and injurious falsehood, all of which disparaged the Governor.

This arrest has stirred widespread outrage within the state, with concerned citizens demanding Gyenger’s unconditional release from custody. Although the initial bail application presented by his lawyer, Clement Mue, was not granted, they are actively exploring various legal avenues to secure his release.

Gyenger’s legal troubles began when he was arrested at his residence in Gyado Villa, Makurdi, on August 25, 2023. The arrest was linked to a Facebook post dated August 18, 2023, in which he alleged that the Governor of Benue State had diverted N2 billion, out of N5 billion allocated as palliatives for the people, sent by the federal government. He also claimed that the Governor had used a portion of these funds to complete his mansion in Guzape, Abuja.

Notably, Gyenger has taken legal action against Governor Hyacinth Alia, police officers, and the Attorney General of Benue State, seeking N200 million in damages for his purported wrongful arrest due to a story posted on his Facebook page. His legal team is preparing to approach a Federal High Court with jurisdiction over the case to apply for his bail, further complicating this unfolding legal saga.