Court remands journalist, officials of National Theatre, National Troupe over fake news publications
An Apapa magistrates’ court in Lagos State on Tuesday, remanded an online news publisher alongside an official of the National Theatre and his collaborator at the National Troupe of Nigeria in the Kirikiri Correctional Centre, Lagos, for publication of false, defamatory and malicious news reports.
The Chief Magistrate, Olanrewaju Olatunji, ordered the remand of the three suspects at the Correctional Centre pending the perfection of their bail conditions.
The defendants, a publisher of Society Reporters, an online news platform, Sunday Adebayo alongside level 13 officer of the National Theatre, Ephesian Ndoza and an associate professor at the University of Lagos and a level 16 officer of the National Troupe of Nigeria, Dr Shaibu Husseini are standing trials for defamation of character and peddling of fake news against a businessman, philanthropist and traditional ruler of Otumara community, High Chief Kehinde Kalejaiye, an offence punishable under section 95 (1) (b) of the criminal law of Lagos State of 2015.
It would be recalled that in separate online publications, the suspects, on April 9, 2023, published defamatory reports on Society Reporters and circulated same on Nairaland, Aljaziran press, Newsbreak Naija amongst other news platforms under the headline, “Concerned Staff of National Theatre petitions ICPC to wade into corrupt activities of top director, Femi Joel and his co-conspirators.”
The prosecutor, Mike Enejere Esq, told the court that the offences were committed on April 9, 2023 at the National Theatre, Lagos.
The charge read, “That you, Sunday Adebayo ‘M’, Shaibu Husseni ‘M’ and Ephesian Nodza ‘M’ on or about the 9th of April, 2023 at National Theatre, Lagos, within the magisterial jurisdiction of this honourable court did conspire amongst themselves to bring false accusation against the person of a traditional ruler of Otumara community, High Chief Kehinde Kalejaiye, knowing full well that he is innocent of the alleged offence. You hereby committed an offence punishable under section 95 (1) (b) of the criminal law of Lagos State of 2015.
That you, Sunday Adebayo ‘M’, Shaibu Husseni ‘M’ and Ephesian Ndoza ‘M’ on the same date, place and within the magisterial district aforementioned, caused to be published and circulated, in the Society Reporter online news platform, Nairaland, Newsbreak Naija and Aljaziranpress information likely to provoke High Chief Kehinde Kalejaiye, knowing same to be incorrect. You thereby committed an offence punishable under section 57 (b) of the criminal laws of Lagos State of 2015.”
The suspects pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The Chief Magistrate, Olarewaju Olatunji granted the accused bail in the sum of N500, 000 with two surety residence within the jurisdiction. He must be gainfully employed and a grade level 14 of the Federal or State Ministry but not Ministry of Education and Information. The surety must possess landed property three years evidence of tax payment with NIN or LASSRA and must not be blood relations.
The court adjourned to December 14 for the commencement of trial or settlement.
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