Alleged Cyber stalking: Ondo community appeals to Interior Minister

From Bamigbola Gbolagunte, Akure

Eminent indigenes of Ilaje-Omuro in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State have appealed to the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo to withdraw the suit instituted against a social crusader and rights activist, Emorioloye Owolemi which bothers on cyber stalking.

The community leaders in a letter addressed to the Interior Minister, urged him to temper justice with mercy, pleading on behalf of Owolemi for forgiveness from the Minister.

Owolemi is currently facing trial over alleged cyber stalking of the Minister and the matter is pending before the Federal High Court sitting in Akure the state capital.

The Federal Government had arraigned Owolemi before the Akure Division of the Federal High Court on a two-count charge bordering on alleged cyber stalking and offensive online communications, following online posts he allegedly made criticizing the Minister and raising questions about his credentials.

In the suit marked FHC/AK/3C/26, Owolemi was alleged to have used his facebook account to post statements considered offensive against the Minister of Interior, Dr Tunji-Ojo, and his actions were said to have contravened the provisions of the Cybercrimes Act.

According to court documents, Owolemi allegedly sent the messages on December 23, 2025, from Igbokoda in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.

However, community leaders from Ilaje-Omuro in a letter signed by Mr Babatunde Omobone appealed for clemency for Owolemi, urging the Minister to forgive him.

The leaders who admitted that the activist’s actions were inappropriate and had reflected poorly on both the Minister and his office said “we apologize for his attitude and actions which have caused embarrassment to you and which we believe reflected poorly on your ministry”.

While acknowledging the seriousness of the situation, the community leaders urged the Minister to consider forgiveness, noting that the activist may have acted out of inexperience and a lack of full understanding of the consequences of his conduct.

“We humbly seek your understanding, forgiveness and compassion in this matter. We acknowledge that Mr. Emorioloye’s actions were unacceptable,” the community leaders said.

They further described the incident as a lesson for the activist and expressed hope that the experience would serve as a turning point in his conduct.

“We attribute his behaviour to naivety and a lack of understanding of the gravity of his actions. We believe he has learned a valuable lesson from this experience and is truly remorseful for his mistakes,” the letter stated.

The community therefore urged the minister to reconsider any disciplinary consequences that may arise from the case. “In light of this, we respectfully plead for forgiveness and reconsideration of any disciplinary actions against him,” the leaders said.

They also pledged that the community would take responsibility for guiding the activist and ensuring that such incidents do not reoccur.