The Federal High Court sitting in Awka, has fixed June 11, for continuation of hearing, in the case filed by Madonna University against seven of its graduates over alleged false publications.
According to an eleven-count charge preferred against the defendants, the Prosecutor, Mr A.N. Obo, said the false publications on social media were injurious to the image of the proprietor and the institution.
Obo gave the names of the defendants as Prince Ezeimo, Benedict Amaechi, Michael Owhomani, Jonathan Abuno, Blackson Nwokeoma and Nnamdi Opara.
The prosecutor said the alleged offences were punishable under sections 27 (1) (b) and 24 (1) (b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act, 2015.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the accused persons, who were said to be editorial board members of VOX MADONNA, a magazine published by the University, were first arraigned on February 16.
But continuation of hearing on the matter was stalled on Wednesday, following the absence of the trial Judge, Justice B.O. Quadri, while a new date of June 11, was given.
NAN also reports that the accused persons are yet to meet their bail conditions, which they said were stringent.
Meanwhile, some students and parents of the defendants, who thronged the court in solidarity, have appealed to the management of the institution for alternative dispute resolution.
A parent, Mrs Nkoli Okoye, expressed concern that the defendants had been in detention since January when they were arrested.
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“We are appealing to the school authority to show mercy on these students.
“The mother of one of them died a week ago as a result of the incarceration and shock, in spite of several appeals to the school proprietor.
“How can a university treat its graduates in that manner; I feel sad, my heart bleeds that a university owned by a clergy will handle a matter in such manner,” Okoye said.
Another parent, Mr Christopher Onyejekwe, said efforts to resolve the matter had yielded no positive result.
“These children are supposed to be serving in the National Youth Service Scheme (NYSC) but are being incarcerated.
“We expected the management of the institution to call the parents to caution the children over the false publications, but they chose to exercise their might.
“I am calling on the Federal Government and well-meaning Nigerians to intervene in the matter to help set our children free,” Onyejekwe appealed. (NAN)