Inside Enugu Blog

Five members of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Enugu State chapter, are set to appear before a Federal High Court in Enugu, facing charges related to cyber stalking.

The accused doctors, all affiliated with the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH) in Ituku Ozalla, Enugu State, allegedly sent messages through various WhatsApp platforms that could cause injuries, insult, enmity, hatred, and anxiety among their fellow medical colleagues.

According to Charge No: FHC/EN/CR/73/2024, the doctors knowingly and intentionally engaged in cyber stalking, violating Section 24 (1) (b) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 20151. The trial was initially scheduled for May 29, 2024, but was later adjourned to July 9, 2024, due to health reasons and the need to amend one of the defendants’ names1.

The development has been met with applause from many NMA members, who believe it will restore sanity within the medical community.

Dr. Chukwubuikem Ogbozo, the Public Relations Officer of the Enugu Doctors’ Community Concern (DCC), praised the state’s judicial system for its seamless justice delivery and the innovations of the Attorney General of Enugu State, Dr. Kingsley Udeh.

It is believed that arraignment serves as a stern warning to those who propagate defamatory stories on social media, emphasizing the importance of responsible communication within the medical community and beyond.