Court Remands Journalist Who Criticised Lai Mohammed

A journalist identified as Rotimi Jolayemi, also known as Oba Akewi, has been remanded by the Federal High Court in Abuja, over his Yoruba poetic song critical of the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed.

Jolayemi was remanded by Justice Anwuli Chikere after he was arraigned on six counts including the alleged spreading of an audio file said to have caused annoyance, ill will, hatred, and insults towards the minister.

Justice Chikere ordered that he be remanded in the Nigeria Police Force Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department headquarters, in Abuja, pending the hearing of his bail application.

The arraignment took place after the prosecuting counsel, Joseph Offor, announced an amendment to the charges marked FHC/ABJ/CB/104/2020 on Thursday.

As part of the amendment, the prosecution sought to add to its list of witnesses, Jolayemi’s lawyer, Soji Toki, however, did not oppose the request for amendment.

Jolayemi, who complained of ill health, pleaded not guilty to amended charges of six counts.

The adjourned the case till June 16.

Jolayemi, who anchors a Yoruba radio programme, ‘Bi aye se ri’ on Osun State Broadcasting Service and Radio Kwara, was on May 5, 2020, was arrested by the police for reciting a poem which was critical of the minister and has been in the custody of the police since May 7.

The act was alleged to be in contravention of Section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes Act 2015.