CALABAR – The Court of Appeal sitting in Calabar has upheld the decision of the Akwa Ibom State High Court, Uyo, refusing to grant bail to a Facebook user, Princess God’sown Udoito, who is facing trial over alleged defamatory publications against Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno.

In an unanimous judgment delivered on Tuesday, the three-member appellate panel dismissed Udoito’s appeal challenging the lower court’s ruling, affirming the High Court’s decision to deny her bail pending the determination of the case.

The judgment was delivered by Hon. Justice Mohammed Ambi-Usi Danjuma on behalf of the panel, which found no basis to overturn the earlier ruling of the trial court.

The appeal arose from Udoito’s application seeking to set aside the High Court’s refusal to admit her to bail while standing trial on charges linked to alleged defamatory statements published on Facebook earlier in the year against the Governor.

With the appellate court’s decision, the ruling of the Akwa Ibom State High Court remains in force, and the trial is expected to continue in accordance with due process.

The Akwa Ibom State government was represented by the Chief State Counsel, Utomobong Inyang, Esq., while the appellant was represented by senior legal practitioner, Akpadiaha Ebitu, Esq.

The judgment marks a significant development in the ongoing legal proceedings, reinforcing the lower court’s position on the bail application and paving the way for the substantive case to proceed.