Lagos State Police Command on Wednesday arraigned businessman Amarah Kennedy at a Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ogba on a six-count charge.
He was accused of provocation, unlawful conversion of funds and publication of nudes on social media without the consent of the persons.
The charge read in part, “That you, Amarah Kennedy, sometime in September 2022, in a hotel, at Olodi Apapa, Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial District, insulted, annoyed, disgraced and/or provoke one (names withheld) without her consent did share her nude in the social media and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 24 of the Cybercrime Stalking (Prohibition and Prevention) Act, Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2015.
“That you, Amarah Kennedy, on June 4, 2023, at the Olodi Apapa area of Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial District, insulted, annoyed, embarrassed, provoke one (name withheld) ‘ without her consent shared her nude picture on Facebook and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 24 of the Cyber Stalking (Protection and Prevention) Act Law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2015.”
Mr Amarah pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Chief Magistrate A.O Layinka thereafter granted him bail in the sum of N2m with two sureties in like sum.
She ordered that the case file be duplicated and sent to the office of the Directorate of Public Prosecution for legal advice.
She adjourned the case to August 3, 2023, for legal advice.
A mild drama had earlier played out in the courtroom when a Magistrate who earlier held brief for Layinka, directed that Amarah take his plea.
The police prosecutor Cyril Ejiofor, however, noted that he submitted a remand application before the court and therefore the defendant cannot take his plea.
Angered by the development, the magistrate asked the prosecutor if he wanted to take over the case from her, and thereafter left the courtroom.
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She returned some minutes later.
“After a careful review of the six-count charge and remand application dated July 12, 2023, the offences of the defendant show no allegation of threat to life, no allegation of sexual violence.
“I hereby refuse the remand application and the defendant is admitted to bail in the sum of N2m with two responsible sureties in like sum,” she said.
Amarah is said to have extorted two women, Kester and Temi, whom he met on social media and had sexual relations with.
