Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
An Ekiti State Magistrate's Court sitting in the Ado Ekiti District has ordered the remand of a former governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress, Abimbola Olawumi, at the Ekiti Correctional Centre for one month over allegations of defamation, cyberbullying, and threat to life. The case, which has drawn significant attention to the intersection of social media activism and criminal liability, was instituted against Olawumi by the Chief Executive Officer of YSJ Agro-Allied Limited, Mrs Yemisi Joluwe.
Olawumi, who contested the June 2026 Ekiti State governorship election on the platform of the APC, was first arraigned before Chief Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun on July 23, 2026. At that initial hearing, the police prosecutor, Samson Osobu, presented charges that painted a picture of a coordinated campaign of online harassment. Osobu alleged that Olawumi "did knowingly and intentionally bring false accusation against Mrs Yemisi Joluwe when you stated that she has embezzled Ekiti State Government money, without any justification for your statement," an offence punishable under Section 106 of the Criminal Law of Ekiti State 2021. The prosecutor further accused Olawumi of knowingly and intentionally transmitting communication on social media platforms, including Facebook and TikTok, in March 2026, without authority, and posting the photographs and addresses of Joluwe, Mr Adeleke Ajibade and Mrs Okewale Olayemi alongside a threatening message. This alleged offence, Osobu said, was punishable under Section 398 of the Criminal Law of Ekiti State 2021.
The court had initially granted Olawumi bail on self-recognition as a senior citizen and adjourned the case until July 28, 2026, for hearing. However, when the defendant failed to appear in court on that date, Chief Magistrate Adeosun revoked the bail, issued a bench warrant, and adjourned the matter until August 17, 2026. Olawumi was subsequently arrested and detained.
At the resumed hearing on Monday, August 17, 2026, Olawumi's counsel, Odunayo Okunade, argued that the court had the power to grant bail because the charges were bailable offences and should not be used to keep the defendant in custody. However, the police prosecutor, Samson Osobu, countered by urging the court to consider the gravity of the alleged offences, arguing that Section 14 of the Cybercrime Act, as amended in 2024, stipulated that only the Federal High Court had the power to grant bail in such matters. Osobu further argued that the court had the power to keep Olawumi in the correctional centre to prevent her from jumping bail.
In his ruling, Chief Magistrate Adeosun ordered that Olawumi be remanded at the Ekiti Correctional Centre and adjourned the case until September 17, 2026, for further hearing.
Speaking on the case, the CEO of YSJ Agro-Allied Limited, Mrs Yemisi Joluwe, said she approached the court to seek justice over alleged damage to her reputation and harm caused to her staff. "At YSJ Farms, we have always welcomed constructive feedback and public scrutiny, as they help us grow and serve our community better. However, there is a clear distinction between a genuine complaint and a deliberate, malicious attempt to destroy a company's hard-earned reputation," she said in a telephone interview. Joluwe stressed that the statements made by Olawumi were "not only blatantly false, but were specifically engineered to damage our corporate integrity." She added that the company has a duty to its investors, employees, and customers to fiercely protect the YSJ brand from baseless slander. "When false narratives are heavily amplified, it forces us to spend valuable time reassuring our stakeholders and partners. This lawsuit is actually a reassurance to those partners. It sends a strong message that our foundation is solid, our operations are transparent, and we will not allow anyone to compromise the trust we have built in the agricultural sector over the years, including our impact on youth empowerment in Ekiti State."
The case has also drawn attention to the broader issue of cyberbullying and defamation in Nigeria's political landscape, where social media has become a powerful tool for both advocacy and vilification. The remand of a governorship aspirant over online posts serves as a stark reminder that freedom of expression in the digital age carries significant legal responsibilities. The court's decision to remand Olawumi, despite the arguments of her counsel, underscores the judiciary's growing willingness to treat cyber-related offences with the seriousness they deserve. As the case progresses, it is expected to set a precedent for how Nigerian courts handle allegations of defamation and cyberbullying, particularly when they involve public figures and corporate entities.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters News | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments