A 39-year-old man named Ganiyu Abiola was arraigned in Ibadan for allegedly defaming a police officer’s character through Facebook and WhatsApp. He faced two charges of defamation and breach of peace before an Iyaganku Chief Magistrate’s Court and pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor, Insp Sikiru Opaleye, informed the court that the defendant committed the offences on May 12 at 6:00 p.m. in the Egbeda area of Ibadan. According to Opaleye, Abiola used his Facebook and WhatsApp accounts to falsely allege that Insp Folasade Adeoye aided someone in committing fraud. The prosecutor stated that the defendant knew the information was false and his actions could cause a breach of peace.
Opaleye explained that the alleged offences violated Sections 249 (d) and 375 of the Criminal Law of Oyo State, 2000. Section 249 (d) provides for a one-year jail term for defamation of character, while Section 375 provides for a month in prison for breach of peace.
The Chief Magistrate, Mrs. Olabisi Ogunkanmi, granted the defendant bail of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum. The stringent bail conditions, including one surety from a human rights association and the other surety providing evidence of three years’ tax payment, were set to ensure the seriousness of the case. The case was adjourned until Nov. 19 for mention.
Source:
NAN
Via:
Law Times
