Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
A State High Court sitting in Benin has granted the former coordinator general of the Edo Civil Society Organizations (EDOCSO), Omobude Agho bail for alleged defamation of the person of Deputy Commissioner of Police, Zone 5, Benin, DCP Betty Otimenyin .
Also, Agho was brought before Criminal Court 1, headed by Hon. Justice Efe Ikpomwonba.
The police prosecutor, Y. Musa, brought before the court a motion exparte for remand of the defendant in prison custody.
The charge reads: “you Omobude Agho ‘m’ on or about the 16th day of March, 2024 at Benin City within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court, Benin judicial division, with intent to injure the reputation of DCP. Betty Otimenyin, did made injurious Facebook publication on your Facebook timeline named “Omobude Left Agho” where you referred to her as madam deputy commissioner of police in zone 5 and female deputy commissioner of police connected at the zone 5 respectively.
Furthermore, accused her of aiding and assisting one Dominic Edobor in committing crime at Ugbineh community and other several injurious publication which you know to be false and has gone viral in a manner that injures the reputation of DCP. Betty Otimenyin and brought her to disrepute and hatred.
Thereby, committed an offence punishable under section 24(1)(a) and (b)(2)(a)and (b) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention etc) Act, 2015.
However, Omobude pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The lead defendant’s counsel, Olayiwola Afolabi SAN alongside U.L. Osa-Uwagie and Robinson Ayodele applied that the defendant admitted to bail as he is sure he will not jump bail.
Meanwhile, the presiding judge having listened to both police counsel and the defendant’s counsel, granted the defendant bail with a surety and a like sum of N500,000.
The surety was to swear to an affidavit of means and resident and workplace to be verified by court officials.
After meeting the conditions, Court released the defendant on bail.
Therefore, the court further adjourned the case to 21st of May, 2024.