Madang man remanded over alleged defamatory social media post against Pariwa

A man from Menia Village in the Usino Local Level Government area was refused bail yesterday [Thursday] by Madang District Court when he appeared for mention for an alleged defamatory post on social media against the Madang Governor Ramsey Pariwa.

The accused, 32 year- old Arnold Vegofi, appeared before the district court after being charged under Section 21 (1) of the Cyber Crime Act for allegedly publishing defamatory materials using a smartphone.

Provincial Police Commander for Madang, Superintendent Robert Baim confirmed that Vegofi appeared briefly at the Madang District Court and applied for bail but was refused.

He is now being held at Beon Jail while awaiting his next court appearance.

Police said accused allegedly downloaded an edited video from a WhatsApp group and reposted it on Facebook, added captions and shared it on public pages in a manner that suggested Pariwa was responsible for the death of a former provincial administrator.

Superintendent Baim said the alleged post attracted widespread attention on social media and resulted in negative commentaries that damaged the reputation of the governor.

He confirmed that Pariwa, formally lodged a complaint with police, leading to the investigation and arrest this week.

The accused Vegofi was arrested on 15th December, 2025 by officers from the National Criminal Investigation Unit [NCIU] in Madang and formally charged.

Meanwhile, Superintendent Baim has reiterated a strong public warning to Madang residents including police officers about the misuse of social media.

“Let this serve as a warning to anyone intending to do such acts to be very careful while using social media," he said. "There is law covering everyone, and I am urging victims of cybercrime to come forward and officially lodge complaints. Police will act upon complaints that are properly lodged."

Bami said social media platforms are not a substitute for formal police reporting mechanisms.

“Social media is not an official Police Daily Occurrence Book to lodge your complaints. If you believe you have been a victim of cybercrime, come to the police station and lodge a formal complaint," he said.

The Madang PPC said police will continue to enforce the Cyber Crime Act without fear or favour.