defamation

A clergyman based in Osun State, Mr. Niyi Peter, on Thursday, has been granted a bail of N1m when he appeared before a Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Osogbo, the state capital, for allegedly defaming a gospel artiste, Bunmi Akinnaanu, through social media.

The clergy, arraigned on three counts, allegedly posted a picture of the artiste popularly known by her stage name, ‘Omije Ojumi’, on social media and tagged it a ‘prostitute song.’

Appearing before a magistrate, Dr. Olusegun Ayilara, details of the offences allegedly committed by the defendant as contained in the charge sheet partly read, “That you, Apostle Niyi Peter, ‘M’, sometime in April 2024, at about 1200hrs, at the Oke-Odo Area Osogbo in the Osogbo Magisterial District, did damage the character of one Bunmi Akinnaanu aka Omije Ojumi by posting her picture and tagged prostitute song on social media through your WhatsApp number 08065352473.

“That you, Apostle Niyi Peter, ‘M’, on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District, did threaten one Bunmi Akinnaanu A.K.A Omije Ojumi’ through a WhatsApp voice note that she would perish and that she would never rise again.

“That you, Apostle Niyi Peter, ‘M’, on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District, did conduct yourself in a manner likely to cause a breach of the peace by falsely damaging the character of one Bunmi Akinnaanu A.K.A Omije Ojumi.”

The offences committed were said to be contrary to and punishable under Sections 373, 88, 249(D) of the Criminal Code Cap 34 vol. 11 law of Osun State of Nigeria 2002.

Peter pleaded not guilty to the three counts pressed against him and Mr. Okobe Najite, who had earlier announced an appearance for him, urged the court to admit his client to bail.

In his ruling on the bail application, Ayilara admitted Peter to bail in the sum of N1m with two sureties who must be civil servants.

He subsequently adjourned the matter to Tuesday, October 22.