How we Tracked Man Behind Allegations of Fashola Involvement in PEPC Judgments – Police

A Federal High Court in Abuja was briefed on Monday about the investigation conducted by the police, revealing the identity of the individual behind an online publication that falsely accused Babatunde Fashola, the former Minister of Works and Housing, of drafting judgments for the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC).

Ibezim Chike Victor, allegedly linked to the online platform Reportera.ng, faces a six-count charge, including criminal conspiracy, cyberstalking, and defamation, brought against him by the Inspector General of Police (IGP).

During the court proceedings, Inspector Ikemba Cyprian testified about the investigative techniques employed by the police to trace Victor, primarily using his phone number obtained from petitions submitted by Fashola to the IGP. These petitions, dated August 7 and 8, 2023, detailed the false claims made against Fashola in the online publication.

According to Cyprian, upon analyzing the phone number provided in the petitions, it was discovered to belong to the defendant, Victor. Subsequently, Victor was invited for questioning, during which he admitted to purchasing the MTN SIM card associated with the phone number and registering it. He further disclosed that he had given the phone, containing the SIM card, to an individual named Tope, who remains at large.

Despite objections raised by Victor’s lawyer regarding the compliance with certain sections of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), Justice Bolaji Olajuwon ruled in favor of admitting Victor’s statement as evidence, citing its relevance to the case.

Additionally, investigations revealed that the judgments of the PEPC were authored by the panel’s justices and not by any external party, as claimed in the publication. Furthermore, inquiries made with the Nigerian Army Headquarters confirmed that there was no deployment of soldiers to Fashola’s premises, debunking another claim made in the offending publication.

Inspector Cyprian concluded by stating that the investigation determined Victor’s motive to tarnish Fashola’s reputation and confirmed the absence of any army siege on Fashola’s residence, thus underscoring the falsity of the accusations made against him.