Court Remands Suspended Osun Chief In Prison For Alleged Defamation, Cyberbullying
A Magistrate court sitting in Ede, Osun State, Monday, remanded suspended Loogun of Edeland, Jimoh Abdulkabir, in prison for allegedly defaming one Adam Akindere.
OSUN DEFENDER had reported that the 45-year-old Abdulkabir was on April 21 suspended indefinitely by the palace of the Timi of Ede, Oba Munirudeen Lawal, over alleged disregard to the authority of the monarch and involvement in land grabbing.
According to the charge sheet read at the court, the defendant was accused of falsely posting and circulating defamatory statements on social media (Whatsapp) against the person of Akindere.
Abdulkabir was charged with four counts of defamation, cyberbullying, and threat to harm.
He, however, pleaded not guilty to the four counts after the charges were read to him.
The charge Number M/ED/1064/C/2025 obtained by The Punch read in part, “That you Abdulkabir Ajibade Jimoh ‘M’ and others now at large, on or about the 22nd day of April 2025 at about 1:00pm, at Ede, Osun State, in the Ede Magisterial District, did conspire among yourselves to commit felony to wit: Defamation of Character, Threatening Violence and Conduct Likely to Cause Breach of Peace.
“That you Abdulkabir Ajibade Jimoh ‘M’ and others now at large, did with intent to injure the reputation of Alhaji Adam Akindere ‘m’, unlawfully and falsely post on a social media (Whatsapp) and circulate defamatory statement that the said Alhaji Adam Akindere ‘m’ “has sold about 200 acres of the said land to some people without the knowledge of either Loogun or anyone in the family”, thereby exposing him to hatred, or ridicule, or damage to his profession or trade/reputation.
“That you, Abdulkabir Ajibade Jimoh, and others now at large, did with intent to intimidate or annoy, unlawfully threaten to harm or cause harm to one Alhaji Adam Akindere.
“That you Abdulkabir Ajibade Jimoh and others now at large, did conduct yourself in a manner likely to cause breach of peace by circulating defamatory and inciting comments against one Alhaji Adam Akindele ‘m’ on a social media (Whatsapp).”
Police Prosecutor Inspector Adepoju Sunday told the court that there is ample evidence against the suspect, urging the court to allow for an accelerated hearing.
Defense Counsel Taofeek Oyesiji made an oral application for the bail of the defendant.
He explained that the counts contain offences that the court has power to grant bail over.
Oyesiji told the court that the defendant was admitted to hospital at the State Criminal Investigation Department on Saturday upon his arrest due to a chronic ulcer.
However, magistrate V.A. Adedokun ordered that the defendant be remanded in prison custody.
She adjourned the case till June 19, 2025.
Olamilekan Adigun is a graduate of Mass Communication with years of experience in journalism embedded in uncovering human interest stories. He also prioritises accuracy and factual reportage of issues.
