Four individuals have been arraigned before the Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ibadan, Oyo State, over allegations of defamation against the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Ghandi Olaoye.
The accused persons—Owolabi Kazeem, 47; Adebisi Muritala, 48; Mustapha AbdulRahman, 33; and Abdulsalam Abdullahi, 33—face a three-count charge of conspiracy, publishing defamatory content on social media, and disturbing public peace.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read in court.According to the prosecution counsel, Corporal Akeem Akinloye, the defendants allegedly conspired to release a defamatory video on Facebook and other social media platforms on October 25 at about 3 p.m. in Ogbomoso.Akinloye stated that the defendants falsely accused Oba Olaoye of inciting religious hostility and creating unrest in the town. “The defendants published false news claiming that Oba Olaoye was causing trouble by fighting Muslims in Ogbomoso, with the intent to create fear and disturb public peace,” he added.
The offences, Akinloye said, contravene Sections 59 (1) (2), 375, and 517 of the Criminal Code Laws of Oyo State, 2000.Defense counsel O.F.A. Adeosun requested that the court grant the defendants bail on the most lenient terms.Ruling on the bail application, Chief Magistrate Olabisi Ogunkanmi granted bail to the defendants in the sum of N5 million each, with two sureties each in like sum. Ogunkanmi specified that one of the sureties must be a blood relative of the defendants, while the other must present a three-year tax clearance.The case was adjourned until March 10, 2025, for hearing.
