In a recent legal case in Oyo State, a 39-year-old man, Ganiyu Abiola, has been arraigned for allegedly defaming a police officer, Inspector Folasade Adeoye, through his social media posts. The arraignment took place on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, at the Iyaganku Chief Magistrate Court in Ibadan, the state’s capital.

The case stems from a post Ganiyu made on May 12, 2024, on his Facebook and WhatsApp accounts. According to the police prosecutor, Inspector Sikiru Opaleye, Ganiyu accused Inspector Adeoye of aiding someone in committing fraud. This accusation was made publicly on his social media, which the prosecutor argued could disturb public peace and spread false information.

Ganiyu now faces charges under Sections 249(d) and 375 of the Criminal Law of Oyo State, 2000. These sections address issues related to defamation and behavior that could lead to a breach of peace. When the charges were read out in court, Ganiyu pleaded not guilty.

The presiding magistrate, Olabisi Ogunkanmi, granted Ganiyu bail set at N500,000. The magistrate also stipulated that one of the sureties must be a member of a human rights organization, and the other must provide proof of three years of tax payments to the Oyo State Government.

The case has been adjourned until November 19, 2024, when it will be mentioned again in court. Until then, the court will monitor the conditions set for Ganiyu’s bail to ensure compliance.

This case highlights the serious legal implications of making defamatory statements on social media and serves as a reminder of the potential consequences of spreading unverified information online.