Michael Ofulue, Osogbo

Four persons, Christiana David, 26, Adeyemi Damilola, 21, Adebayo Olajide, 24 and Oluwakemi Serifat, 23, have been arraigned before an Osogbo Chief Magistrate’s court for  alleged defamation of character of one  Heritage Abdulmojeed.

The defendants were charged with conspiracy, defamation, threat to life and breach of the peace.

Police prosecutor, Adeoye Kayode, alleged that the defendants conspired with others at large, to damage the victim’s reputation on October 3, 2022, at No. 3, Andeko Street, Alekowodo Area, Osogbo.

Adeoye said the defendants defamed one  Heritage Abdulmojeed, by editing her picture and tagged it with the inscription that she was deflowered by her father, who got her pregnant, and sold the baby, while they  posted same on social media.

The charge reads in part, “That you, Christiana David, Adeyemi Damilola, Adebayo Olajide, and Oluwakemi Serifat and one other at large on the same date and place in the aforementione Magisterial District did conduct yourselves in a manner to cause breach of the peace by creating a WhatsApp group named  ‘Her Dad Disvirgin Her’ with the picture of one Heritage Abdulmojeed.”

The alleged offences, according to the prosecution contravene Section 373 and punishable under Sections  516, 375, 86(1) and 249(d) of Criminal Code CAP 34 Vol. II Laws of Osun State of Nigeria 2002.

The defendants, however  pleaded not guilty to the allegations.

Defense Counsel, Okobie Nagite, urged the court to grant the defendants’ bail, noting that both the victim and the defendants are friends.

However, the Police prosecutor objected to the bail application. He submitted  that the defendants had high tendency to jump bail, as they have no verified addresses. 

The presiding Chief Magistrate, Olusola Aluko having listen to both sides granted  each of the defendants N100,000 bail with  one surety each in like sum.

 He adjourned the case till October, 24, for mentioning.