Former South-East spokesperson to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Chairman of the Forum of Former Members of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Denge Josef Onoh, has threatened legal action against Nigerian businessman and socialite Paschal Chibuike Okechukwu, popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest, over alleged verbal attacks on Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru.
Onoh issued the warning in a statement made available to journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, September 15, 2026.
He urged Cubana Chief Priest to stop what he described as repeated attacks against Governor Nwifuru, warning that continued comments on social media could expose the socialite to civil and criminal proceedings.
According to Onoh, wealth, popularity and a large social media following do not exempt anyone from the law or give individuals the right to disparage public institutions and their leaders.
“Fame is not immunity. Wealth, social media followership, and influence do not grant a licence to denigrate state institutions or their leaders,” Onoh said.
Onoh described the alleged social media activities of Cubana Chief Priest as a growing example of what he termed “digital misbehaviour.”
He argued that some social media personalities had developed the impression that online fame could shield them from legal consequences.
The former lawmaker accused Okechukwu of using social media to settle what he described as personal or political disputes, describing the alleged conduct as “misguided exuberance” and a failure of civic responsibility.
Onoh further alleged that some of Cubana Chief Priest’s comments crossed the boundary between freedom of expression and malicious provocation.
He specifically referenced posts allegedly published on Okechukwu’s official Instagram account, saying some of the statements could have legal implications.
Onoh also faulted Cubana Chief Priest over an alleged call for Governor Francis Nwifuru to “step down” and his reported description of the Ebonyi State Government as a “failure.”
He argued that such demands, particularly when based on what he described as unverified figures, could damage the reputation of the governor and amount to malicious falsehood or civil defamation.
Onoh further alleged that statements attributed to Okechukwu, including claims that Ebonyi leaders were “not wise enough” and were “still living in the past,” could have implications under Nigeria’s cybercrime laws.
He referenced Section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes Act, arguing that the provision addresses certain forms of online communication involving messages known to be false and intended to cause insult, injury or ill-will.
The former South-East presidential spokesman also cited provisions of the 1999 Constitution in making his case.
He referred to Section 176(1), which establishes the office of the governor as the chief executive of a state and vests executive powers in that office.
Onoh argued that public attacks against a sitting governor could also be viewed as attacks against the dignity of the people represented by the office.
He further referenced Sections 176 and 215(4), linking the constitutional responsibilities of the governor to public order and security.
Onoh maintained that statements capable of creating disaffection could attract legal restrictions where applicable laws provide for such action.
He also cited Section 308 of the Constitution, which provides immunity from certain legal proceedings for serving governors in respect of acts covered by the provision.
However, Onoh maintained that applicable civil and criminal laws could still be relevant where the legal requirements for such actions are satisfied.
Onoh said Cubana Chief Priest could potentially face civil claims over alleged damage to reputation, injury to character and malicious falsehood.
He claimed that Nigerian courts had previously awarded substantial damages in cases involving allegations of reputational damage through digital platforms.
He also referred to the Criminal Code Act and Penal Code, arguing that applicable provisions address intentional insults, conduct capable of causing a breach of the peace and defamatory publications in circumstances covered by law.
Onoh warned that continued social media attacks against Governor Nwifuru could result in legal action.
“Ebonyi State is a sub-national sovereign entity with a government fully empowered by law to protect its integrity,” he stated.
He added that the era of what he described as “unchecked digital rascality” was over, stressing that celebrity status did not place anyone above the law.
Onoh advised Cubana Chief Priest to focus his energy on productive activities rather than expose himself to what he described as avoidable legal consequences.
The latest development comes amid an ongoing public exchange involving Cubana Chief Priest and the Ebonyi State Governor, with social media platforms becoming a major avenue for the dispute.
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