An Ebonyi State Magistrates’ Court in Abakaliki on Monday remanded a 24-year-old man, popularly known as Prophet Ubadinma, in a correctional facility over allegations of defamation, attempted murder, malicious damage, stealing, and arson.
Reports indicated that the suspect, notorious for giving false prophecies, allegedly committed the offences in Offianka Inyima, Agharaoza, Affiauku, and Ochiohu Inyegu villages in Izzi and Ikwo Local Government Areas of Ebonyi State between 2020 and 2025.
He allegedly declared that an Ogun-based businessman, Emeka Mgbore (known as EmmyBest), was a ritualist, circulating the so-called prophecy in a video on social media. This claim reportedly triggered attacks on Mgbore and looting of his shops by angry mobs in Ogun State.
The police charged him on four separate cases involving 16 counts, including attempted murder, arson, stealing, defamation, and malicious damage.
His counsel, Emeka Anosike, sought bail, insisting the charges were bailable. However, Police Prosecutor Lilian Aliede opposed the application, stressing the gravity of the offences and their damaging effect on the complainants’ reputations.
Magistrate Sandra Ifeanyi-Oyibe granted bail of ₦2,000,000 each on two defamation cases, with two sureties residing within the court’s jurisdiction and presenting three years of tax clearance. She adjourned both cases to September 15 and 16 September 2025.
The court declined bail on charges of attempted murder, arson, malicious damage, and stealing, ruling that it lacked jurisdiction. The magistrate referred the case files to the Director of Public Prosecutions and adjourned the matters to the same dates.