Court remands Ekiti APC governorship aspirant over alleged defamation, cyberbullying

By Boye Oyeyemi

A Magistrate’s Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, has ordered the remand of an All Progressives Congress governorship aspirant, Abimbola Olawumi, over alleged defamation and cyberbullying.

Olawumi was brought before the court following a complaint filed by Yemisi Joluwe, the chief executive officer of YSJ Agro-Allied Limited.

The court had previously granted the politician bail but later revoked the order after she failed to appear for a subsequent proceeding. She was subsequently arrested and brought back before the court.

During the latest proceeding, her counsel, Ayokunle Okunade, appealed for bail, arguing that the offences against his client were bailable and that the allegations should not be used to justify prolonged detention.

The police prosecutor, Samson Osobu, however, opposed the application, urging the court to consider the seriousness of the allegations and the provisions of the Cybercrime Act, as amended in 2024.

Osobu argued that the Federal High Court had jurisdiction over bail applications relating to the alleged cybercrime offence and its associated matters.

He further urged the court to ensure that the defendant remained in custody to prevent her from evading trial, while the defence maintained that she should be released on bail.

In his ruling, the Chief Magistrate, Abayomi Adeosun, ordered Olawumi’s remand at the Ado Correctional Centre and adjourned the case until September 17, 2026, for further proceedings.