The Anambra State Police Command has arrested a 56-year-old man, Mr Emeka Philip, for circulating fake information on COVID-19 around the government house.
Philip, who was paraded before journalists on Tuesday had on 15 January 2021, allegedly circulated information on social media that there was a COVID-19 outbreak in the government house.
He had claimed that the wife of the Chief of Staff to the governor, who lives in the US had returned to the country for the yuletide, infecting the governor and his wife with the deadly disease.
CSP Haruna Mohammed, the Public Relations Officer of Anambra State Police Command, who paraded Philip said the suspect was arrested following an investigation that required him to explain his role in the alleged crime.
“The command wishes to confirm to the general public that one Mr Philip Emeka Chinwuba ‘male’ aged 56years of Chinwuba Street, Aguleri in Anambra East LGA of Anambra State has been arrested.
“The suspect had on, or about 15/1/2021 originated and circulated on various social media platforms a false and malicious publication captioned “COVID-19 IN AWKA.”
However, the reproduced message circulated by the suspect, Philip, read,
“Coronavirus has hit government house Awka with more than thirty senior govt officials including Governor Obiano in isolation.
“Late Igwe Kelly of Igbariam contracted the virus after visiting the governor to thank him for lifting his suspension and died three days to the last ofala celebration.
“The virus was brought into the government house by Mrs Maureen Odili from the USA who is the wife of Chief of Staff to the governor.
“Mr Primus Odili was having sexual affairs with a light skin woman and as such Maureen bleached herself and came to show off her new look…etc.”
Mohammed also said that series of other false information was also circulated on the same premise, inciting messages that were made to cause criminal intimidation, hatred, ill will, enmity or needless anxiety contrary to Section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrime(Prohibition Prevention Etc) Act, 2015.
“The allegations contained therein no doubt require proof and the Command intends to get to the root of the matter.
“The involvement of the suspect so far is to the extent that circulation of both documents has been traced to him. He, therefore, has a duty to explain either his direct involvement in authoring both or otherwise.”
Mohammed, however, said the suspect would be charged to court as soon as investigation is concluded.
