Court Orders Substituted Service On Woman Over Cybercrime Charges

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday, ordered the police to serve Tracynither Ohiri with a 13-count cybercrime charge by pasting the court documents at her Lagos residence after she allegedly refused to accept them.

Justice James Omotosho issued the order after police prosecutor Wisdom Madaki told the court that efforts to personally serve Ohiri with the charge had failed.

Madaki said Ohiri was in Abuja for a protest when a court bailiff attempted to serve her with the documents, but she allegedly refused to receive them.

“The defendant came to Abuja here for a protest and the bailiff tried to serve her and she refused,” the prosecutor told the court.

He urged the court to allow substituted service by directing the bailiff to paste the charge and other accompanying documents at Ohiri’s residence in Lagos.

Madaki also informed the court that the bailiff had sworn an affidavit documenting the alleged refusal, insisting that Ohiri was already aware of the case.

Justice Omotosho questioned the prosecutor about Ohiri’s surety and whether the bail recognisance had been forfeited.

Madaki confirmed that the surety had been invited but said the recognisance had not been forfeited.

The judge subsequently granted the application for substituted service.

Justice Omotosho also warned that Ohiri could face trial in absentia if she fails to appear at the next court date after her arraignment.

The case was adjourned until October 5 for arraignment and hearing.

The latest development follows repeated setbacks in the police’s attempt to arraign Ohiri.

On April 16, the judge had threatened to strike out the charge after the prosecution failed to produce her in court for arraignment.

The police accused Ohiri of using TikTok, Facebook and other social media platforms to publish allegations against Works Minister David Umahi.

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Among other allegations, the police said she accused Umahi of threatening to kill her, victimising her for refusing sexual advances and withholding more than N200 million allegedly owed to her for campaign materials.

The police also alleged that Ohiri circulated a video in which she claimed Umahi threatened that she would “not leave Ebonyi State alive.”

The 13-count charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/172/2026, was filed on March 31 by Madaki of the Directorate of Legal Services, Police Force Headquarters, Abuja.

The prosecution said the publications constituted offences under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024, and were intended to cause reputational injury, hatred and ill will against the minister.

Ohiri is yet to be arraigned and has not entered a plea to the allegations.