The Akwa Ibom State High Court sitting in Uyo has admitted for identification a flash drive containing 13 video clips allegedly posted on Facebook by Princess God’sown Udoito, in an ongoing criminal trial over claims that the publications defamed the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Umo Eno.
Udoito is facing a five-count charge bordering on conspiracy, publication of defamatory matter, conduct capable of causing extreme fear, nuisance, and seditious publication.
The flash drive was tendered by the prosecution, led by the State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Friday Itim, after the completion of evidence-in-chief by the first prosecution witness,
Ememobong Nicolas, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Legal Documentation. Proceedings resumed on Tuesday, March 3, 2026.
Before the videos were played in open court, the defence objected, arguing that the witness did not create the clips and therefore could not properly authenticate them as evidence.
The prosecution, however, urged the court to overrule the objection, maintaining that the videos were to be played strictly for identification purposes and to enable the witness confirm their authenticity.
In a ruling, the court upheld the prosecution’s submission and allowed the videos to be played.
Some of the clips were presented in Ekid language, reflecting the local linguistic context of the alleged publications.
During cross-examination, defence counsel Akpadiaha Ebitu tested the witness’s proficiency in Ekid by asking him to write numbers one to 20 in the language and translate them into English.
The witness complied successfully. The defence subsequently applied for the handwritten numerical figures to be admitted as an exhibit, and the court granted the request.
Earlier, lead defence counsel sought an adjournment to vacate the March 4 hearing date, citing a pending appeal against the refusal of bail scheduled to be heard at the Court of Appeal.
Opposing the application, the DPP reminded the court of its prior order for accelerated hearing of the matter, arguing that criminal proceedings cannot be stayed.
He further noted that with 13 lawyers appearing for the defence, some could attend the appellate court while others remained to continue cross-examination.
After hearing both sides, the trial judge, Winifred Umohandi, ruled that the case should proceed as scheduled, emphasizing that the hearing date was earlier fixed at the instance of the defence and in the interest of justice.
The matter was adjourned to Wednesday, March 4, 2026, for continuation of cross-examination of the first prosecution witness.
The flash drive and its 13 video clips are expected to play a central role as the court determines whether the publications amount to defamation under the Nigerian law.
