The police on Wednesday arraigned four persons before the Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ibadan for allegedly defaming the Soun of Ogbomoso Oba Ghandi Olaoye.
The defendants are Owolabi Kazeem (47), Adebisi Muritala (48), Mustapha AbdulRahman (33) and Abdulsalam Abdullahi (33).
The police prosecutor Cpl Akeem Akinloye stated that the defendants are facing three charges: conspiracy, publishing defamatory content on social media, and disturbing public peace.
Akinloye explained that the defendants conspired to post defamatory content on social media on October 25 at approximately 3:00 p.m. in Ogbomoso.
The content falsely claimed that the traditional ruler was causing unrest and inciting religious conflict in Ogbomoso.
The posts also alleged that the Soun of Ogbomoso was antagonising all Muslims in the area, intending to create fear and disturb the peace.
The prosecutor added that the actions violated Sections 59 (1) (2), 375, and 517 of the Criminal Code Laws of Oyo State 2000.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Defense counsel O.F.A. Adeosun requested bail for the defendants under the most lenient terms.
Chief Magistrate Olabisi Ogunkanmi granted the defendants bail in the amount of N5 million each, with two sureties each in the same sum. One surety must be a blood relative of the defendants while the second must provide tax clearance certificates for the last three years.
The case was adjourned to March 10 for further hearing.
