A Chief Magistrates’ Court in Makurdi has ordered the remand of 35-year-old Paul Gyenger in a corrections facility for allegedly calling Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue “a chronic womaniser” on social media. Gyenger, who resides in Makurdi, faces charges of cyberstalking and defamation of character.
Chief Magistrate Kelvin Mbanongun did not allow the defendant to enter a plea due to jurisdictional issues and scheduled the next hearing for December 17.
The case was brought to light by the governor’s ADC, ASP Ver Ingyatu, who reported the incident to the anti-cybercrimes unit on October 16, 2024. Ingyatu stated that Gyenger made derogatory comments in Tiv language and posted them on a Facebook account under the name Terna Sunday Tyo. Following a police investigation, Gyenger was arrested. The prosecutor indicated that the charges violate sections 24 of the Cybercrimes Act, 2015, and 393 of the Penal Code of Benue, 2004.
