Two persons, Ajibola Fawale (34) and Ajiboye Babatunde (28) have been remanded in the correctional center by a magistrate court sitting in Osogbo, Osun state, for alleged defamation of the new House of Assembly speaker, Adewale Egbedun, on social media.
The police prosecutor, Idoko John, alleged that the defendants accused the speaker of being a fraudster declared wanted by FBI/EFCC.
The charge sheet reads: “That you Ajibola Fawale and Ajiboye Babatunde, and others now at large, on or about 2nd day of June 2023, at about 7:00 am in Osogbo, Osun state in the Osogbo magisterial district, did conspire among yourselves to commit the offense to wit: publication of defamatory matter, and thereby committed an offense 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 à social media that Hon. 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 offense 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 pressed against them by the police.
Their counsels, Oluwabusayo Ebo, and Taiwo Awokunle, urged the court to grant them bail in the most liberal terms.
But, Magistrate Olusegun Ayilara, ordered that the defendants should be remanded in the correctional center and adjourned to 9th June for a ruling on the bail application.
