Nnamdi Azikiwe University lecturer sentenced six months for defaming colleague
Story from Maimunat Mohammad
In a recent development at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, a lecturer named Peter Ekemezie has been landed a six-month prison sentence after being found guilty of publishing defamatory statements against Professor Alex Asigbo his colleague at the school.
The verdict was delivered by His Worship, E.C. Chukwu at the Awka Magistrates’ court. Ekemezie faced conviction on three counts related to forgery and defamation charges, with an option to pay a N300,000 fine instead of serving the full sentence.
During the trial, it was revealed that Ekemezie had forged Professor Asigbo’s signature after he was declined a witness statement, and was instead advised to obtain a subpoena. This act subsequently prompted Ekemezie to author and distribute a series of damaging statements against Asigbo on various social media platforms, including Facebook.
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In consideration of the defendant’s circumstances, His Worship, E.C. Chukwu took into account that Ekemezie had spent one month in a psychiatric facility and an additional four months in a Correctional Centre.
However, the report did not clarify whether Ekemezie still held his position as a lecturer at Nnamdi Azikiwe University at the time of his sentencing.