On June 7, 2023, a magistrate court sitting in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, remanded two men, Mr. Ajibola Oluwasegun and Mr. Ajiboye Babatunde, in correctional custody after they were arraigned for allegedly defaming the character of the new speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Egbedun Adewale through their social media posts.
The two men were arraigned before Magistrate Olusegun Ayilara on two counts of conspiracy and defamation of character, offences which they were alleged to have committed on June 2, 2023, with intent to injure the reputation of the Speaker.
Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Idoko John, the prosecutor who presented the charge sheet in court said the men conspired to publish a defamatory matter against the speaker on the date. The men pleaded not guilty to the charges filed against them by the police.
The charge sheet states that they “did falsely post on social media that Hon. Egbedun Adewale, 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.”
Efforts by their counsel, Oluwabusayo Ebo, to secure their freedom proved abortive as Magistrate Ayilara urged him to apply formally for their bail.
Magistrate Ayilara ordered that the men be remanded in a correctional facility and adjourned the matter to June 9, 2023, for ruling on their bail applications.
