Chief Magistrate Mrs. Olateju Odenusi-Fadeyi of an Akure Magistrates’ Court has ordered the remand of TikTok content creator, Emmanuel Ajibade, at the Olokuta Correctional Centre for allegedly cyberbullying an official of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).
The Chief Magistrate, who gave the order on Thursday, said that Ajibade should be remanded till June 27, pending legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
According to the Guardian, Odenusi-Fadeyi explained that the order was based on her ruling on the application of an affidavit submitted by the prosecution counsel and a counter-affidavit submitted by the defendant’s counsel.
“I have listened to the affidavit and counter-affidavit of both the prosecution and the defence counsel,” Odenusi-Fadeyi said.
“I, hereby, order the remand of the defendant in Olokuta Correctional Centre, pending the legal advice from the DPP.
Ajibade was first arraigned before the Chief Magistrate court on April 24 for allegedly cyberbullying an official of FRSC.
However, the police prosecutor, Inspector Taiwo Oniyere, earlier told the court that Ajibade and others at large committed the offence at the Higher Height Area, Orita Obele in Akure.
Oniyere said Ajibade conspired together with intent to commit felony with cyberstalking, cyberbullying and defamation.
According to him, the defendant spread falsehoods via checkers69 on TikTok to cause annoyance, inconvenience, danger, insults, and criminal defamation.
“His actions also resulted in intimidation, enmity and hatred, ill will and needless anxiety for Ibitoye Samuel, an official of FRSC in the state,” the prosecutor said.
He said that the offence was punishable under Section 27(b) and Section 24(b) of the Cyber Crime (Provision and Prevention) Act, 2015, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.
Oniyere prayed the court to remand the defendant in the correctional centre in accordance with Section 269 Sub-section 2(b) of the laws of the federation.
However, the defendant’s counsel, Mr A. F. Awala and Mr O.I. Tiwo prayed to file a counter-affidavit to the application.
The case was adjourned till June 27, 2025, for legal advice.
