Akure court remands man over alleged cyberbullying, death threats against magistrate
By Boye Oyeyemi
A 46-year-old man, Folahan Mekaisi, has been remanded in police custody following his arraignment before an Akure Magistrate’s Court over serious allegations of defamation, cyberbullying, and death threats directed at a sitting magistrate and two others.
The defendant is facing a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy, character defamation, threats to life, and conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace.
During the proceedings, police prosecutor D.O. Ifidon informed the court that the alleged offences occurred on May 15 and 16, 2026, during a broadcast at the Adaba FM radio station in Akure, Ondo State.
Ifidon further alleged that Mekaisi conspired with accomplices who remain at large to make malicious statements and issue life-threatening warnings during the live radio programme.
Specifically, the prosecution accused the defendant of falsely alleging that Surveyor Femi Oguntuase and Niyi Oluwatuyi paid a N2.5 million bribe to Magistrate Kolawole A. Aro to influence an adverse judgment against him.
In addition to targeting the judicial officer, Mekaisi allegedly disseminated defamatory statements against Assistant Commissioner of Police Omoniyi that were capable of inciting a public breakdown of law and order.
Consequently, the police brought the charges under the relevant provisions of the Ondo State Criminal Code Law, 2006, as well as the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.
Although the defendant pleaded not guilty to all counts, Magistrate R.I. Adelakin ordered his remand in police custody until November 2, 2026, to allow defence counsel time to respond to the prosecution’s formal remand application.
