By Peter Omopo
A Federal High Court in Lagos has granted bail to United Kingdom-based Nigerian blogger, Maureen Badejo, in the sum of N50 million over allegations of conspiracy, defamation and cyberbullying.
Justice Akintayo Aluko granted the bail on Monday and ordered the defendant to provide two suitable sureties in like sum. One of the sureties must be a family member, while the other must be a civil servant on Grade Level 14. The court also directed that one of the sureties must own property within Lagos State.
Badejo is facing trial over an 11-count charge filed by the Force Criminal Investigation Department Annex in Alagbon, Ikoyi, Lagos. The police allege that she conspired with others still at large to publish and transmit defamatory statements and videos through her YouTube channel and Facebook platforms.
According to the prosecution, the alleged offences occurred around November 2021 and involved defamatory statements against the General Overseer of Omega Fire Ministries International, Johnson Suleman, and another individual, Dickson Osagie.
The defendant was accused of falsely portraying Suleman as a cultist, rapist, assassin and ritualist, among other criminal labels, and of publishing statements that allegedly placed both men in fear of death or bodily harm.
The charges were filed under Sections 376, 408(1) and 516 of the Criminal Code Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, as well as Sections 24(2)(a) and 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015. Some of the offences, including alleged cyberbullying, carry penalties of up to 10 years imprisonment and a minimum fine of N25 million.
Badejo had pleaded not guilty to the charges when she was arraigned on March 6 and was subsequently remanded in custody pending the court’s decision on her bail application.
During the hearing, her lead defence counsel, Dr Yinka Owoeye, urged the court to grant bail, arguing that the defendant is presumed innocent and that the offences are bailable. He also assured the court that she would be available for trial.
However, police prosecutor Morufu Animashaun opposed the application, arguing that the defendant posed a flight risk and had previously been on an INTERPOL watchlist.
In his ruling, Justice Aluko held that granting bail was in the interest of justice and relied on provisions of Section 162 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015. The judge ruled that the defendant had met the legal requirements for bail.
The court further ordered the sureties to swear to an affidavit of means and provide evidence of tax payments, as well as their Lagos State Residents Registration and National Identification Numbers.
Badejo was also directed to surrender her passports and sign an undertaking not to engage in any online publication relating to the subject of the case while the trial is ongoing. She will remain in custody until the bail conditions are fully met.
The court also granted her request for the police to return some personal items earlier seized from her, including bank and credit cards, jewellery and bags.
The case was adjourned until June 1 for further hearing.
