Enugu Court Remands Man Over Posts Linked to NDC Meeting Attack

An Enugu East Magistrate’s Court has ordered the remand of a 45-year-old man following his arraignment over online publications connected to an attack on members of the Nigeria Democratic Congress during a political meeting in Enugu State.

The defendant, identified in the charge sheet as Ani Samuel Chidi, was arraigned on Monday before Chief Magistrate F. E. Chukwu at the court sitting in Nkwo Nike.

Police brought three counts against him under provisions of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, as amended in 2024.

Charges linked to September attack

The case originates from a September 12, 2026 attack on an NDC political gathering at Obuoffia Awkunanaw in Nkanu West Local Government Area.

Police had earlier confirmed that armed individuals disrupted the gathering and fired shots, leaving people injured.

The NDC reported a higher number of casualties than the police, saying eight of its members sustained injuries during the incident.

The attack subsequently became the subject of a police investigation.

Police challenge claims published with video

According to the latest charge sheet, police are not accusing Chidi merely of recording the incident.

Prosecutors allege that after recording footage connected to the attack, he distributed material through social-media platforms and other online channels while identifying Ani Nnabuike, Solomon Ifeanyi and Monday Anninwe as members of the group responsible for the violence.

Police allege those accusations were false.

The prosecution also accused Chidi of making statements that placed the named individuals and their families in fear of attack.

Those allegations have not been proven in court.

Following the arraignment, the magistrate ordered that Chidi be held in custody as the case proceeds.

Earlier arrests followed attack

The September political violence had already led to arrests.

Earlier reports said detectives arrested several people after a petition was submitted to the Inspector-General of Police over the attack.

Those detained reportedly included a traditional ruler, a former federal lawmaker and other individuals being questioned over allegations ranging from conspiracy and unlawful possession of firearms to attempted murder and assault.

Some names reported among those earlier detained were similar to individuals later referenced in the case against Chidi.

However, an arrest or questioning does not establish criminal responsibility, and no final court determination linking those individuals to the attack had been announced at the time of reporting.

NDC condemns prosecution

The Enugu State chapter of the NDC has strongly criticised Chidi’s prosecution.

In a statement issued by Sampson Ukwu, media aide to the party’s governorship candidate, Christian Chinyeaka Ohaa, the party described the defendant as an important witness who recorded evidence of the September violence.

The NDC alleged that authorities had turned against a witness while people it considers responsible for the attack were no longer being held.

The party also accused state authorities of attempting to use the legal process to intimidate opposition members.

Those accusations are claims by the NDC and have not been independently established.

The party called for a fair and independent investigation into both the original attack and the subsequent handling of witnesses and suspects.

Different names appear in public accounts

There is also a naming discrepancy in the available reports that Aviora should not ignore.

The police charge sheet identifies the defendant as Ani Samuel Chidi, while some NDC statements have referred to the person who filmed the attack as Chidi S. Ani and, in another statement quoted by media organisations, as Chidi Ezeani.

Some reports indicate that the party was referring to the same witness, but the different versions of the name have not been fully explained publicly.

For accuracy, Aviora therefore identifies the defendant using the name appearing in the court charge: Ani Samuel Chidi.

Case remains before the court

The arraignment does not amount to a conviction.

Police must still prove the allegations against Chidi through the judicial process, while the defendant is entitled to challenge the prosecution’s case and present a defence.

The broader investigation into the September 12 political violence is also significant because police previously confirmed that an armed attack occurred.

Questions therefore remain over who carried out the assault, whether those responsible will be prosecuted and whether statements made by witnesses after the incident were accurate.

Until the courts and investigators reach further conclusions, allegations against both Chidi and those accused of participating in the original attack should not be presented as established fact.