By Our Reporter
Two men who appeared in a viral video smoking what appears to be marijuana while sitting atop a police patrol van have been arrested and charged with cybercrime-related offenses. They are currently being held at the Sapele Custodial Centre in Delta State.
The Delta State Police Command confirmed the arrest and charges in a statement shared on Friday by the state’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, via his official X (formerly Twitter) account.
The suspects, identified as 34-year-old Patrick Junior Asini and 20-year-old Tega Ojo, were arraigned before the Oghara High Court on a three-count charge, including cyberbullying and cyberstalking—violations of Sections 24 and 27 of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act.
According to the police, the charges stem from their actions in the now-viral footage, which shows the men seated on a police patrol vehicle with visible markings from the “Nigeria Police Force Anti-Crime Patrol, Oghara Division.” In the video, one of the suspects is seen smoking what is believed to be cannabis, while a voice off-camera can be heard saying, “Tell them, f*** the cops, bro. Pass me some weed, man,” accompanied by a middle finger directed at nearby officers.
The video, reportedly recorded at a local car wash, quickly sparked outrage on social media, prompting an investigation by the authorities.
SP Edafe stated: “The two suspects have been charged at the Oghara High Court and are currently remanded at the Sapele Custodial Centre on a three-count charge, including cyberbullying and cyberstalking, among other offenses.”
The case continues as the suspects await further legal proceedings.