Blogger Gbenga Dan-Asabe has been arraigned at an Iyaganku Magistrates’ Court in Ibadan, Oyo State for allegedly publishing false news and defaming clergyman Sat Guru Maharaj Ji.
The Lagos-based blogger is the publisher of Africa TV on YouTube.
The police charged the 45-year-old on Tuesday on a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, defamation and publishing false news.
The defence counsel Kemi Fowosola asked for her client’s bail on the most liberal term.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Magistrate Olaolu Olanipekun granted the defendant bail in the sum of N200,000 with two sureties in like sum.
Olanipekun said one of the sureties must be a relative to the defendant, and adjourned the matter till February 22 for hearing.
The prosecution counsel ASP M. O. Lawal told the court that had Asabe on September 4, 2023 allegedly conspired with others to publish the defamatory report.
Lawal said; “The defendant with intent to injure the reputation and expose him to hatred was alleged to have unlawfully published the defamatory matter in ‘Iwe Iroyin Yoruba Tooto’ against Sat Guru Maharaj Ji.
“Asabe allegedly published that Sat Guru Maharaj Ji is a ritualist who sells human body parts for money rituals, knowing same to be false.
“Defendant with intent to cause fear and alarm in the public unlawfully published false news against Sat Guru Maharaj Ji.”
Lawal added that the alleged offence was committed on September 4 at the Dugbe area of Ibadan.
