Ondo community seeks leniency for embattled activist in case against interior minister

By Boye Oyeyemi

Community leaders from Ilaje-Omuro in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State have appealed to the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, to show compassion in the ongoing case involving social activist Emorioloye Owolemi.

Owolemi is currently standing trial at the Federal High Court in Akure over allegations of cyberstalking and offensive online posts directed at the minister.

The Federal Government had earlier arraigned the activist on a two-count charge, accusing him of publishing statements on Facebook considered offensive and threatening.

Court documents indicated that the alleged posts were made on December 23, 2025, from Igbokoda in Ilaje Local Government Area and were said to contravene provisions of the Cybercrimes Act.

The case, which has attracted attention within coastal communities in Ondo State, has been scheduled to resume on March 26 at the Federal High Court in Akure.

Amid the controversy, leaders of the Ilaje-Omuro community wrote to Tunji-Ojo, appealing for forgiveness and reconciliation over the conduct of their kinsman.

In a letter signed by the community chairman, Babatunde Omobone, the leaders commended the minister’s performance in office and apologised for the activist’s actions.

They admitted that Owolemi’s conduct was inappropriate and had caused embarrassment, but urged the minister to temper justice with mercy, while also expressing hope that the experience would serve as a lesson for the activist. They pledged that the community would guide him to avoid similar incidents in the future.