Culled from Conversee

The Magistrate Court 1 sitting in Calabar and presided over by Magistrate Mercy Ene on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, further remanded Denis Odama over allegations that he bullied the Governor of Cross River State, Senator Bassey Otu, on social media.

The development followed the failure of the prosecution to file a formal charge against Odama.

Odama, a businessman who deals in cars and hails from Bekwarra Local Government Area of Cross River State, appeared before the court at its Moore Road premises, where his counsel sought his release on bail.

However, Magistrate Ene declined to entertain the bail application, stating that the prosecution must first file the matter before the court before the application could proceed.

The magistrate consequently adjourned the case until Thursday, August 20, 2026, and ordered that Odama remain at the Afokang Correctional Centre pending the receipt of the suit from the prosecution.

Odama was reportedly arrested in Lagos by the Nigerian Police and detained for several days before being taken to Calabar and brought before the court.

At the same Magistrate Court on August 13, the court had ordered his remand for seven days and adjourned the matter until August 19.

However, at Wednesday’s proceedings, the prosecution had still not filed any formal charge against Odama.

The absence of a charge prevented the court from proceeding with the bail application and led to the further adjournment of the matter until Thursday.

Odama will remain in custody pending the next court sitting and any formal charge that may be filed by the prosecution.