By Okechukwu Onuegbu
The Anambra State Magistrate Court 4 sitting at Amawbia, Awka South Local Government Area, Monday, postponed the case of alleged defamation the Catholic Dioecese of Awka filed against an activist, Comrade Osita Obi to March 23, 2026 due to health challenges.
The Catholic Diocese of Awka had sued Obi, who is the Coordinator of Recover Nigeria Project (RNP), for allegedly posting defamatory statements against them on Facebook profile, a social media platform.
Obi was arraigned before Magistrate Esther Chukwu on October 31, 2025 and granted bail as the case was adjourned to February 16, 2026. However, a few hours after arrival to the court on Monday, the activist was told that the court could no longer sit because the Magistrate was attending to a sick child and March 23 was tentatively chosen.
It would be recalled that the court had last year October ordered the applicant (Catholic Church) to release all the required documents to Obi for easy defence to the case but the police were yet to comply with the order.
The police prosecutor, Inspector Edith Okonkwo had then, argued that the defendant could not dictate to the police the documents to be released because they were obligated to disclose whatever documents they intended to rely upon during the trial, and not every document requested by the defence.
But the Chief Magistrate ruled in favour of the defendant noting that failure to disclose such material could undermine the integrity of the trial and amount to a denial of fair hearing.