Court grants Vanguard Newspaper journalist bail in defamation case

By Mosunmola Ayobami, Ilorin

In a recent development at the Magistrate Court in Ilorin, Mr. Demola Akinyemi, the Kwara State Correspondent for Vanguard Newspaper, was granted bail on Wednesday.

The case revolved around allegations of criminal conspiracy, defamation, and falsehood brought against him by Alhaja Mariam Babatunde Arolahun, a trader based in Ilorin.

Arolahun, a trader at the popular Oja-Tutun market in Ilorin, accused Akinyemi of criminal conspiracy, defamation, and falsehood following an online publication by Vanguard Newspaper titled “Kwara market women threaten to protest naked over colleague’s mysterious death” on January 30th, 2024.

The publication stemmed from an incident involving an altercation between Arolahun and another trader, Medinat, in the same market over a shop allocation dispute, which resulted in Medinat’s death.

The police, acting on Arolahun’s petition, invited Akinyemi for questioning and subsequently arraigned him before the Magistrate Court.

The prosecution, represented by Corporal Abdulraheem Musa, opposed bail, citing ongoing investigations and the possibility of the defendant fleeing.

However, Akinyemi’s defense counsel, A. C. Okafor and H. A. Musa, argued that the offenses were minor and assured the court of Akinyemi’s cooperation.

After considering both sides, Magistrate Balkis Baraje granted Akinyemi bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties, one of whom must be a close relation to the defendant.

The case has been adjourned till May 20th for the commencement of hearing.