The Enugu State Police Command has arraigned and remanded a member of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Ani Samuel Chidi, over the publication of video footage showing an armed attack on an NDC political meeting in Obuoffia Awkunanaw, Enugu State.

The development has triggered controversy after the NDC alleged that police authorities released persons it identified as suspected attackers and their alleged sponsors, while Chidi, who recorded and circulated footage of the incident, was taken to court.

Chidi, 45, was arraigned on Monday, October 5, 2026, before an Enugu East Magistrate’s Court sitting at Nkwo Nike on three counts bordering on cybercrime and alleged criminal defamation under Section 24(2)(a) and (c)(i) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015, as amended in 2024.

According to the charge sheet, marked MEE/151c/2026, the police accused Chidi of publishing footage and statements on social media platforms and online media outlets, including WhatsApp, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and SaharaReporters, in which he allegedly identified Ani Nnabuike, Solomon Ifeanyi and Monday Anninwe as members of the armed group that attacked the NDC meeting.

The prosecution further alleged that Chidi’s publications falsely accused the three men and threatened them and their families with possible attacks from members of the public. The three counts filed against him reportedly contain similar allegations concerning the three individuals.

The case stems from the September 12 attack at Obuoffia Awkunanaw, where armed men reportedly invaded an NDC ward meeting and opened fire, with the party later alleging that eight of its members sustained gunshot injuries. The NDC identified the victims as Onovo Donald Ekene, Ngene Godwin Madueke, Ogbodo Gloria, Onovo Victor, Maduabuchi Ugwu, Nnaemeka Nelson, Chinonso Nwagbara and Obinna Daniel Owo.

Following the attack, the Enugu State Police Command confirmed that armed hoodlums had disrupted an NDC meeting in Ndiuno-Obuoffia with sporadic shooting, resulting in injuries to two attendees, and said the Commissioner of Police, Mamman Giwa, had directed the State Criminal Investigation Department to investigate and bring those responsible to book.

However, the NDC has alleged that the subsequent police action has produced a different outcome, with persons it accused of participating in the attack being released while Chidi, who recorded the incident, was prosecuted.

Following his arraignment by police prosecutor Ajogwu, the magistrate ordered that Chidi be remanded in prison custody pending further proceedings. The NDC has condemned the prosecution and called for an independent investigation into the September 12 violence, including the identities of those responsible for the attack and the circumstances surrounding the release of persons arrested in connection with it.

The police allegations against Chidi have not been established by the court, and the claims by the NDC concerning the release of suspected attackers and alleged political sponsorship remain allegations requiring verification.