RismadarVoice Reporters
March 3, 2026
Akwa Ibom State High Court sitting in Uyo, has admitted for identification, a flash drive containing 13 video clips allegedly posted on Facebook by Princess God’sown Udoito, which the State claims are defamatory to the State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno.
Udoito is standing trial on a five-count charge bordering on conspiracy, publication of defamatory matter, conduct capable of causing extreme fear, nuisance and seditious publication.
The flash drive was tendered by the prosecution, led by the State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Friday Itim, Esquire, after the completion of evidence-in-chief of the first prosecution witness, Ememobong Nicolas, Esquire, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Legal Documentation.
The proceedings took place during the continuation of the trial on Tuesday, 3rd March, 2026.
Prior to the tendering of the flash drive, the defense had raised an objection to playing the videos in court, arguing that the contents of the clips were not created by the witness and therefore should not form part of the evidence.
However, the prosecution urged the court to discountenance the objection, stressing that playing the videos was necessary only for the witness to identify them and confirm their authenticity for admissibility.
The court upheld the prosecution’s position, ruling that the videos could be played.
Some of the clips were presented in Ekid language, reflecting local linguistic context.
During his evidence-in-chief, Nicholas, a former Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Uyo Branch, was cross-examined by the defense, led by Akpadiaha Ebitu, Esquire, a former Chairman of Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Eket Branch.
The defense tested the witness’s linguistic abilities by requesting that he write numbers one to 20 in Ekid language and provide English translations.
The witness successfully completed the exercise after which, the defense applied for the handwritten numerical figures to be admitted as an exhibit, which the court approved.
The lead defence counsel had earlier sought an adjournment to vacate tomorrow’s hearing date on the grounds that the defence’s appeal against the refusal of bail by the Uyo High Court is scheduled to be heard tomorrow, 4th March, 2026 at the Court of Appeal, Calabar Division.
In response, the Director of Public Prosecutions drew the court’s attention to its earlier order for accelerated hearing of the matter.
He argued that there can be no stay of criminal proceedings and noted that since 13 lawyers were present for the defence in court, some members of the team could proceed to the Court of Appeal in Calabar, while others remain before the trial court to continue the cross-examination of the first prosecution witness (PW1).
After listening to both parties, the court ruled that the matter should proceed as scheduled, noting in particular that the date was taken at the instance of the defence and in the interest of justice.
The trial judge, Hon. Justice Winifred Umohandi adjourned the matter to tomorrow, Wednesday, 4th March 2026, for continuation of cross-examination of the first prosecution witness.
The flash drive and its 13 video clips are expected to play a pivotal role in the trial as the court seeks to determine whether the publications constitute defamation under Nigerian law.
