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From Lateef Dada, Osogbo
An Osun State Magistrate Court in Osogbo, yesterday, remanded two people, Ajibola Fawale (34) and Ajiboye Babatunde (28) in the correctional centre for allegedly defaming the assembly speaker, Adewale Egbedun, on social media.
The police prosecutor, Idoko John, told the court that the defendants published on social media that the speaker was a fraudster declared wanted by the FBI/EFCC.
The charge sheet reads: “That you, Ajibola Fawale and Ajiboye Babatunde, and others now at large, on or about June 2, 2023, at about 7am, at Osogbo, Osun State, in the Osogbo magisterial district, did conspire among yourselves to commit the offence to wit: publication of defamatory matter, and, thereby, committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 517 of the Criminal Code Cap 34 Vol. Il laws of Osun State, 2002.
“On the same date, time, place and in the aforementioned magisterial district, with intent to injure the reputation of one Hon. Egbedun Adewale ‘m’, did falsely post on social media that Hon. Egbedun Adewale ‘m’, is a fraudster declared wanted by FBI/EFCC, thereby, exposing him to hatred or ridicule, or damage to his profession or trade/reputation and, thereby, committed an offence contrary to section 373 and punishable under Section 375 of the criminal code cap. 34 Vol II, Laws of Osun State of Nigeria, 2002.”
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the two counts of conspiracy and defamation levelled against them by the police. Their counsels, Oluwabusayo Ebo, and Taiwo Awokunle, urged the court to grant them bail in the most liberal terms, promising that they will stand their trial.
But, Magistrate Olusegun Ayilara ordered that the defendants be remanded in the correctional centre and directed their counsel to file a formal application for their bail. Magistrate Ayilara, thereby, adjourned to Friday for a ruling on the bail application.
