An Edo State High Court presided over by Hon. Justice Efe Ikpomwonba, has granted an Edo-based foremost human rights activist and former coordinator-general of Edo Civil Society Organisations, EDOCSO, Leftist Omobude Agho bail for alleged defamation and cyber-stalking.
The human rights activist was brought before Criminal Court 1, Benin City, by police prosecutor, Y. Musa, with a motion exparte for remand of the defendant in prison custody.
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The prosecutor charge reads in part “that 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.
Members of the EDOCSO in the premises of the court in solidarity with their former coordinator-general
“Betty Otimenyin, did made injurious Facebook publication of 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 and 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 and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 24(1)(a) and (b)(2)(a)and (b) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention etc) Act, 2015.”
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Agho, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Members of the EDOCSO in a joyous mood after Agho was granted bail. Standing by his rights lawyer, Olayiwola Afolabi, SAN.
In his bail application, lead defendant’s counsel, Olayiwola Afolabi, SAN, prayed the court to grant the defendant bail, assuring that he (Agho) will not jump bail.
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.
The defendant was able to meet the bail conditions and was released on bail by the court.
The presiding judge thereafter adjourned the case to 21st of May, 2024.
Meanwhile during the arrast and court proceedings, members of the EDOCSO in their large numbers trooped to the court premises in solidarity with their former coordinator-general.