Man Faces Legal Action For Allegedly Defaming Officer On Facebook And WhatsApp

The Oyo State Police Command arraigned a 39-year-old man, Ganiyu Abiola, on Tuesday, September 3, before the Iyaganku Chief Magistrate Court for allegedly defaming a police officer via Facebook and WhatsApp.

The police prosecutor, Inspector Sikiru Opaleye, informed the court that the defendant committed the offenses on May 12, 2024, around 6:00 p.m. in the Egbeda area of Ibadan, the state capital. According to Opaleye, Ganiyu posted on his Facebook and WhatsApp accounts, falsely accusing Inspector Folasade Adeoye of aiding someone in committing fraud, fully aware that the claim was untrue.

Opaleye further stated that Ganiyu’s actions were likely to incite public disorder by spreading false information about Adeoye.

The prosecutor explained that the alleged offenses violated Sections 249(d) and 375 of the Criminal Law of Oyo State, 2000. Ganiyu pleaded not guilty to the two charges related to defamation and breach of peace.

Chief Magistrate Olabisi Ogunkanmi granted Ganiyu bail in the amount of N500,000, requiring two sureties of the same sum. As part of the bail conditions, one surety must be a member of a human rights association, while the other must provide evidence of three years of tax payments to the Oyo State Government.