Court Remands Monarch For Spreading Rumour Against Ooni

For spreading rumour that undermines the reputation and integrity of the Ooni of Ile-Ife, Oba Adeyeye Eniitan Ogunwusi, an Osun State Magistrates’ Court sitting in Ile-Ife Friday remanded a monarch.

The monarch, Oba Adeoye Adefarakan, 63 and Abidemi Olukanmi, 18 were alleged to have spread rumour that could defame Oba Ogunwusi, Ojaja 11.

The Prosecutor, Insp Christian Olajide, had told the court that the accused committed the offence sometimes in Nov, 2017 at Ile-Ife.

Olajide said that the accused conspired among themselves to commit felony to wit: publication of false news that caused fear and alarm and defamation of character.

He added that the accused allegedly released an album that contains song that caused hatred and ridicule on the person of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja 11.

According to him, the content of the song is derogatory and therefore affected the reputation of Oba Ogunwusi by exposed him to ridicule despite his position as a prominent businessman and first class monarch.

The prosecutor stated further that the song caused fear and alarm to members of the public and breach the public peace of Ife Kingdom

He said that the offence contravened sections 59, 374, 375 and 516 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Osun, 2002.

The Defence Counsel, Mr Edward Birilomoni, applied for the bail of the accused in most liberal terms, pledging that his clients would not jump bail, but would produce reliable sureties.

Magistrate Adejumoke Ademola-Olowolagba refused the verbal bail application but asked counsel to come with written application for the consideration of the accused’s bail.

Ademola-Olowolagba therefore ordered for the remand of the accused in prison custody, pending the consideration of their bail as she adjourned the case until Feb 23, for hearing.