By Funmilayo Olusanya
Four persons, Christiana David, 26, Adeyemi Damilola, 21, Adebayo Olajide, 24 and Oluwakemi Serifat, 23, have been arraigned before the Osogbo Chief magistrate court on Tuesday over an alleged defamation of character of one Abdulmojeed Heritage.
They were tried on four-count charge bordering on conspiracy, defamation, threat to Life and breach of the peace.
Police prosecutor, Inspector Adeoye Kayode alleged that the defendants with others at large conspired to damage the victim’s reputation on October 3, 2022, at No. 3, Andeko Street, Alekowodo Area, Osogbo.
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 aforementioned Magisterial District did DEFAME one Abdulmojeed Heritage by editing her picture and tag with the inscription that she was deflower by her father, got her pregnant, sold the baby and post same on social media.”
“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 Abdulmojeed Heritage.”
The alleged offences according to Kayode, 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 accused bail noting that both the victim and the defendants are friends.
Nevertheless, Police prosecutor objected the bail as he told the court that the defendants have high tendency of jumping bail because they have no traceable addresses.
The presiding Chief magistrate, Olusola Aluko having listen to both sides granted the defendants bail with N100,000 and one surety in like sum. He adjourned the case to 24th October for mention.
