Jailed blogger, Musyani, back in court as new cybercrime charges over Facebook post emerge

Controversial Facebook blogger, Elias Musyani, already serving a six-month sentence for cyber harassment, has been brought back to court to face fresh charges alongside co-accused Stephen Nyirenda.

The duo are accused of running a Facebook page, High Profile Official, believed to have been used to harass multiple women through targeted online posts.

Both men are charged with harassment using electronic communication under Section 69 of the Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes Act No. 2 of 2021.

Court records show that on February 28, 2025, Nyirenda allegedly published a defamatory post aimed at Rebecca Mutinta Chimuka, alongside her photo. The post read:
“This is my husband’s side. I’m going through a lot because of her and I’m pregnant. I want to expose this hule.”

Nyirenda also faces a separate charge of possessing obscene material, allegedly found in his custody between February 7 and March 24, 2025. The State argues the content was likely to corrupt public morals, violating Section 59(1)(a) of the same Act.

Additionally, the prosecution claims that on February 7, 2025, Musyani and Nyirenda jointly made a Facebook post accusing Lucy Shawa of having an affair and transmitting a sexually transmitted infection.

Although on police bond, Musyani failed to appear in court. Magistrate Idah Phiri was informed he remains in custody following his recent conviction in a separate case.

Maureen Chingangu, who appeared before court but declined to stand as surety, confirmed that Musyani is her nephew and currently in remand.
“The communication was delayed, so arrangements for him to appear were not made,” she said.

Magistrate Phiri criticised the State’s failure to ensure Musyani’s presence.
“You should have contacted the arresting officer. The State is responsible for producing the accused in court,” she said, warning:
“Tell the arresting officer that I want the accused, without fail.”

She added that the matter could not proceed in Musyani’s absence and adjourned the case to May 16, 2025, for plea.
“I cannot issue a warrant unless I know exactly where the accused is,” she said.

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