17th January, 2024
By Adebisi Fatima Sogbade
A 45-year-old blogger, Gbenga Dan-Asabe, was on Tuesday arraigned at an Iyaganku Magistrate’s Court in Ibadan for allegedly publishing false news and defaming Sat Guru Maharajji.
Asabe who operates African Tv on YouTube was charged with a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, defamation and publishing false news against Satguru Maharajji.
The prosecution counsel, ASP M. O. Lawal, told the court that Asabe on Sept. 4 allegedly conspired with others to publish the defamatory matter with publication of false news.
Lawal said; “The defendant with intent to injure the reputation and expose him to hatred was alleged to have unlawfully published the defamatory matter in ‘Iwe Iroyin Yoruba Tooto’ against SatGuru Maharajji.
“Asabe allegedly published that SatGuru Maharajji is a ritualist who sells human body parts for money rituals, knowing same to be false
“Defendant with intent to cause fear and alarm in the public unlawfully published false news against SatGuru Maharajji.”
Lawal added that the offence was committed on Sept. 4 in the Dugbe area of Ibadan.
He said the offence is contrary to the provisions of Section 373 and punishable under sections 376, 59 and 516 of the Criminal Code Laws of Oyo State 2000.
The defence counsel, Kemi Fowosola, asked for her client’s bail on the most liberal term.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge against him.
The magistrate, Mr Olaolu Olanipekun, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N200,000 with two sureties in like sum.
Olanipekun said one of the sureties must be a relation to the defendant, and adjourned the matter till Feb. 22 for hearing.