Police in Osun, on Monday, arraigned a 48-year-old man, Joshua Oki, before an Osun State Magistrate’s Court in Osogbo for posting pictures and words defaming the Speaker of Osun State House of Assembly, Timothy Owoeye, on Facebook.
Oki, who was arrested by the Department of State Services, appeared before Magistrate Modupe Awodele.
Police prosecutor, B.O. Nweke, told the court that Oki committed the offence on Friday, June 19, 2020, in Osogbo, using the pseudonym “Sayo Oki.”
Nweke said the defendant knew that the pictures and words he posted were false but still went ahead to post the materials.
The prosecutor argued that by so doing, Oki has committed offences contrary to Sections 374(1)b, as well as 374 and punishable under Section 375 of the Criminal Code Cap 34, Vol. 2 Laws of Osun State of Nigeria, 2002.
But Oki pleaded not guilty to the two-count bearing on defamation of character levelled against him.
The defendant’s counsel, Ibraheem Imran, urged the court to grant his client bail.
Ruling on the application, Magistrate Awodele committed the defendant to bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties.
She then adjourned the matter to July 14, 2020, for hearing