Cyberbullying: Court remands Janny Linda Ozochi to correctional Centre

A Federal High Court sitting in Umuahia the Abia State capital, has remanded Janny Linda Ozochi, to a correctional Centre Umuahia, over defamation Suit stemming from the Alleged Cyberbullying of Promise Uzoma Okoro, Mother.

Although Ozochi pleaded not guilty to the four counts leveled against her, the counsel to prosecutor CC Nwaobilor, asked the court to remand her for earlier jumping bail.

Although the counsel to the defendant Professor Hagler Okorie, pleaded for her to released to him, but the judge said such privilege had often been abused.

The matter was adjourned till Thursday June 4, 2026.

Recall that the Legal Counsel to Promise Uzoma Okoro, a Journalist and Former Deputy Chairman of Bende Local Government Area of Abia State had issued a N100 million demand notice against the self-acclaimed social media user Janny Linda Ozochi Over alleged defamatory and cyberbullying publications targeted at Hon. Chief Promise Uzoma Okoro (anipr), popularly known as PUO and his Mother.

The demand was contained in a legal letter dated May 5, 2026, written by LADU .N. MARTINS & CO., solicitors to the Supreme Court of Nigeria, acting on behalf of Hon. Promise Uzoma Okoro.

According to the letter, Ozochi allegedly used her Facebook verified platform with over 13,000 Followers to publish statements portraying PUO as “a manipulator, backstabber, gossip­er, betrayer, liar and opportunist,” alongside other remarks which the legal team described as ‘malicious and defamatory”

The letter also said she went further to make a post that Promise Uzoma Okoro was a son of a mad woman.

The lawyer further alleged that the publications were deliberately designed to ridicule and damage the public reputation of the media practitioner and politician, who currently serves as the Chairman of the Online Media Practitioners Association of Nigeria (OMPAN), Abia State Chapter, and the Public Relations Officer of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Abia State Chapter.

The letter also noted that PUO is a former Deputy Chairman of Bende Local Government Area and an aspirant for the Bende State Constituency ticket under the Labour Party.

Counsel to the claimant stated that the alleged online publications had exposed their client to public ridicule, hatred, embarrassment, and reputational injury, adding that some associates and clients had allegedly distanced themselves from him following the posts.

“That the contents of your publications are libelous and by their naturw, ordinary and intended meaning, these words published by you meant and were understood to mean that our client is an irresponsible person, lacks integrity, a man with dubious character, a manipulator, backstabber, a gossiper, a betrayer, a liar, an opportunist, not trust worthy, a son to a mad woman and that he is not a fit and proper person in the community and no one should associate with him any longer”

“That these words to your knowledge are untrue but intentionally published to ridicule our client and have him exposed to hatred, scandal, public odium, and contempt. The posts were also meant to besmirch his sterling public record and diminish his political career”

“That as a result of the libelous words published by you against our client, some people who were before now respecting and associating with him now cast aspersion on him and calls him names and treats him with disdain. It has caused our client and his family member’s hardship and embarrassment”

“By reason of the premises, our client has been greatly injured in his character, credits and reputation and has been brought into public scandal, ridicule, hatred, odium and contempt. His personal clients have abandoned” the letter read in parts.

Among the demands issued to Ozochi are the immediate withdrawal of the alleged defamatory statements, publication of a written apology in two national newspapers, a video apology to the mother Mrs Oyidiya Okoro, and payment of N100 million as aggravated damages.

The legal team warned that failure to comply with the demands within seven days would result in court action.