Two men who sparked national outrage after a viral video showed them smoking suspected marijuana on a police patrol van while making obscene gestures toward officers have been charged with cyberbullying and cyberstalking by the Delta State Police Command.
The suspects, Patrick Junior Asini (34) and Tega Ojo (20), were arraigned before the Oghara High Court on a three-count charge bordering on cyberbullying, cyberstalking, and other related offenses under Sections 24 and 27 of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act.
They are now remanded at the Sapele Custodial Centre, pending further hearing.
Confirming the development in a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday, the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, wrote:
“The two suspects have been charged to the Oghara High Court and presently remanded at Sapele prisons on a three-count charge of count 1 – Cyberbullying, Cyber Stalking contrary to Sections 24 & 27 of the Cybercrime Prohibition Act, amongst other charges.”
The charges stem from a now-viral clip originally shared by user @dammiedammie35, showing the young men casually smoking what appeared to be cannabis while perched atop a police patrol van marked “Nigeria Police Force Anti-Crime Patrol, Oghara Division.”
In the video, one of the suspects raises his middle finger toward an officer in the background while a voice is heard saying, “Tell them, f** the cops, bro. Pass me some weed, man.”*
The bold display—reportedly filmed at a car wash—was met with swift backlash across social media, forcing the police to act.
The arrest and subsequent charges have sparked mixed reactions online, with some questioning the appropriateness of the cybercrime charges in contrast to the obvious public drug use and disrespect for law enforcement. Others say it reflects a government eager to clamp down on anti-police narratives in the digital space.
The police have yet to confirm if additional charges—such as drug possession or public misconduct—will follow. For now, the suspects are facing legal consequences not just for their act, but for the audacity to broadcast it to the world.
