The trial of a Facebook user, God’sown Monday Udoito, also known as Princess God’sown Udoito, over alleged defamatory publications against the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, commenced on yesterday at the State High Court sitting, Uyo.
During the trial, the prosecution called its first witness, Ememobong Nicholas Udo, Esq., Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Legal Documentation and former Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Uyo Branch.
Testifying as the first prosecution witness (PW1), Udo told the court that he knew the defendant through her Facebook video posts, which, according to him, posed threats to the internal security of Akwa Ibom State and the personal safety of the Governor.
Led in evidence by the Director of Public Prosecution, Friday Itim, Esq., the witness said the defendant published videos alleging that Governor Umo Eno fraudulently sold ancestral lands belonging to Ekid people to a private company, BUA, and embezzled the said sum.
He further testified that, in another video, the defendant accused the Governor of collecting lands from the people of Ikot Ekpene Udo, his hometown in Nsit Ubium Local Government Area, allegedly paying them inadequate compensation.
The PWI further stated that, the defendant in her post also warned that any similar action taken by the governor in Ekid land would not work and expressed deadly consequences.
According to the witness, the defendant also claimed in one of her videos to be a custodian of certain traditional deities of Ekid land, which she allegedly invoked against the Governor, members of the government and others she accused of being involved in fraudulent land transactions.
Udo told the court that, the defendant further accused the Governor of stealing and described him as a liar, alleging that, the governor was using the cover of government to commit fraud.
She was also said to have referred to Governor Eno as an “Arrangee Governor” and his administration as “Arrangee Government,” while questioning his educational qualifications and describing his Ph.D as “Doctor of Ikpa Road.”
The witness added that, the defendant also claimed the Ekid people nurtured and groomed Governor Imo Eno and called on the Federal Government of Nigeria, the President of the United States, Donald Trump, and international agencies to intervene, alleging that the Governor is a land grabber, who is using his position to take over ancestral lands.
PW1 maintained that, the defendant’s publications constituted a threat to the internal security of the state and the safety of the Governor, prompting him to consult his attorney to petition the State Commissioner of Police to investigate the allegations in order to safeguard lives and public order.
At the close of his testimony, the prosecution informed the court that it had filed a notice for additional evidence dated February 3, 2026.
Responding, Counsel to the defence, Akpadiaha Ebitu, Esq., former Chairman of the NBA, Eket Branch, told the court that the notice was served on him in court via a flash drive, which he had not yet accessed.
He requested time to review the contents, citing the requirement for adequate service under the law.
Following submissions by both parties, the prosecution suspended the use of the video evidence for the time being, allowing the witness to proceed with oral testimony only.
A Lagos-based Human Rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, Esq., informed the court that he was observing the trial on behalf of the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, while Clifford Thomas, Esq., also announced his presence as a trial observer representing the Human Rights Community.
After hearing the defence counsel, the presiding judge, Justice Winifred Umoandi, adjourned the matter to Wednesday, February 18 and Thursday February 19, 2026 for continuation of hearing and cross – examination of the first witness.
