The Rivers State Police Command has arrested David Obasi for allegedly cyberstalking and defaming innocent individuals on social media.

SP Grace Iringe-Koko, the command’s spokesperson, confirmed Mr Obasi’s arrest during an interview with journalists in Port Harcourt on Saturday.

Mr Obasi is accused of targeting victims by falsely branding them scammers, posting their photographs online, and subsequently demanding money from them as a condition for removing the defamatory posts.

She stated that Mr Obasi’s apprehension followed a petition dated June 17, submitted by the legal counsel of John Adekola, a Nigerian based abroad, and popularly known as @McPhils_ on his social media platforms.

According to Ms Iringe-Koko, Mr Obasi had tagged Mr Adekola a scammer on his X (formerly Twitter) account, despite having no prior acquaintance or business dealings with him.

She said the police officers from the Choba division subsequently tracked and arrested Mr Obasi on Friday, adding that he was in police custody.

The defamatory content allegedly posted by Mr Obasi against Mr Adekola and two others has since been deleted from the suspect’s X account, @boymanagerO.

Before it was removed, the post read: “Scammer alert. Watch out for @McPhils_. Don’t sell accounts to them. They take your account and block you. Be warned.”

A petition, stamped and filed by Mr Adekola’s legal representative, Ibukun Ahisu, accused Mr Obasi of criminal conduct and defamation.

Mr Ahisu asserted that Mr Obasi posted Mr Adekola’s photograph online and made direct, false accusations, branding him a scammer without any evidence, justification, or due diligence.

(NAN)