By CHARLES IWUOHA

The Ebonyi State Police Command has arraigned two content creators, Mr. Justice Ozibo and Mr. Isaac Edeh, over alleged malicious and unsubstantiated publications against the Command and the Commissioner of Police, CP Urunwa Okafor.

The Command said the case followed a social media publication by Ozibo, alleging that the Commissioner of Police collected seven hundred thousand naira from six families to secure their release on bail over a purported land dispute involving a traditional ruler.

In a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Joshua Ukandu, the Command described the allegation as false and challenged the publisher to provide evidence.

The Police said discreet investigations led to the arrest of Ozibo and Edeh, whom Ozobi identified as the source of the information.

According to the Command, the suspects could not provide evidence of the alleged payment or identify anyone to whom the money was reportedly paid.

The Police clarified that the matter involved a petition bordering on alleged malicious damage, and that the persons concerned were subsequently charged to court, not released on police bail.

They, however, reaffirmed its commitment to respecting lawful criticism and public complaints, but warned that it would take legal action against individuals who deliberately publish false or malicious information capable of undermining public confidence in the police.