Court dismisses case against journalist accused of insulting former minister
In a recent development, the Federal High Court in Abuja has discharged journalist Rotimi Jolayemi, also known as Oba Akewi, from allegations of insulting former Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed. The case was struck out due to a lack of diligent prosecution.
Justice Emeka Nwite granted the discharge after the case, which was scheduled for a plea on the day’s docket, couldn’t proceed due to the absence of the prosecution counsel, Joseph Offor. This prompted the defendant’s lawyer, Soji Toki, to request the case’s dismissal.
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Toki pointed out that since the matter was reassigned to Justice Nwite and Joseph Offor’s initial appearance in court on March 30, the prosecution had not actively pursued the case. The judge accepted Toki’s uncontested application and struck out the charges.
It’s worth noting that the case was initially assigned to Justice Anwuli Chikere in 2020 before her retirement. Justice Chikere had ordered Jolayemi’s remand after he was arraigned for spreading an audio file alleged to have incited annoyance, ill-will, hatred, and insults directed at the former minister.
Jolayemi, known for anchoring a Yoruba radio program, “Bi aye se ri,” on Osun State Broadcasting Service and Radio Kwara, was arrested on May 5, 2020, by the police for reciting a critical poem about the minister. He is also the Vice-Chairman of the Freelance and Independent Broadcasters Association of Nigeria, Osun State Chapter.
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