Social media commentator in court over false news on Amosun’s wife

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NIGERIA: A SOCIAL media regular commentator has been arraigned before an Ogun State Magistrate Court for allegedly publishing false news against the wife of the state Governor, Mrs. Funsho Amosun.

Emmanuel Adediran was on Tuesday dragged to court for false publication with the intent to malign, cause hatred against the governor’s wife.

The offence, according to the prosecutor, was punishable under section 516 of Criminal Code cap 24 vol. 2 Laws of Ogun State of Nigeria, 2006.
According to the charge sheet, Adediran alleged offence was published on his Facebook account alleging that Mrs Amosun was arrested in London for money laundry.

This, the charge sheet further revealed, was done with intent to cause fear and alarm to the public and to expose the governor’s wife to hatred and contempt before the public.
Also, the accused person was accused of assaulting one Superintendent of Police, Katibi Biliamin with intention to resist or prevent lawful arrest and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 356 (1) (2) of Criminal Code Cap 24 vol 2 Laws of Ogun State of Nigeria, 2006.
But Adediran, the court was told, had published the said information on his Facebook account with the name Sf Emmanuel Adediran Ojo II accusing that Mrs Amosun was in a UK detention for money laundry.
The said publication reads in part: “She was arrested in oversea (sic) for money laundry running into hundreds of million dollars. The said money was transported in a briefcase but luck ran out of her when she was accosted by a foreign security agency to explain where she got the money from and what it was meant for. Trust a thief, she was unable to provide convincing explanations.
“It is on record that this isn’t the first time she’s indulging in such deal.  According to a reliable source, several high net worth properties can be directly linked to her and the Governor in countries like Dubai (where they have a huge shopping mall); South Africa (where they recently acquired a large estate); and in UK to mention but few.”
“While trying to make it a top secret, the governor has been running from pillar to post, pressing all manners of political buttons so as to ensure that she’s rescued from this trap and public awareness. The concerned authorities aren’t cooperating with them due to the large chunk of dollars involved.”
When the eight-count charge with case number MA/430C/2015 was read to the accused, he pleaded not guilty, but he was, however, granted bail in the sum of N1million with two sureties in the like some.
The Chief Magistrate, Mr. Anthony Araba, who presided over the case, in his ruling stated that the two sureties must be residents within the jurisdiction of the court with landed properties.

He added said that the persons should also submit the documents of the landed properties with the court and must also show evidence of regular tax payment to the government.