Lawyer arraigned for allegedly ‘abusing’ Ondo gov on Facebook

A 53-year-old lawyer has been arraigned before a Magistrate Court sitting in Akure, the Ondo State capital, for allegedly using his page on Facebook to abuse Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

The legal practitioner, Wale Odusola, in the three-count brought against him, was accused of accusing the governor of neglecting his constituency.

Odusola, who was invited by the police before his arraignment, was alleged to have, in a video posted on his Facebook page, stated that Aiyedatiwa had failed to act in a parochial manner.

According to the charge sheet, the lawyer also accused the governor of engaging in an extramarital affair with the state’s finance commissioner, Omowunmi Isaac.

It read: “That you, Wale Omolegbon Odusola, ‘m,’ on the 7th day of February, 2025, at about 2:00 p.m., within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did cause emotional, verbal, and psychological abuse in the name of the Governor of Ondo State, His Excellency Honourable Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, to hatred and ridicule by posting a video on your Facebook page accusing him of failing to be parochial and neglecting his constituency and also insinuating that the governor is engaged in an extramarital affair with Finance Commissioner Mrs. Wunmi Isaac, and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 15 (1)(2) of the Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2021.”

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The prosecutor, DSP Ayodeji Aderintoye, informed the court that the offences contravened Section 15 (1)(2) of the Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2021; Section 373 of the Criminal Code Cap 37, Vol. 1, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2006; and Section 24 (a)(b) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, etc.) Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.

Aderintoye further stressed that Odusola’s actions were capable of inciting public unrest and damaging the governor’s reputation.

With Odusola pleading not guilty to the charges, his defence team, comprising Chief Ebiseni, O. F. Umaru, Olumide Ogunje, M. C. Okeke, and O. S. Ogunmola, urged the court to grant him bail.

According to the team, the alleged offence was bailable, and their client was ready to meet all conditions.

Magistrate Sunday Adedapo subsequently granted Odusola bail on self-recognition and adjourned the case until 5 May 2025 for further hearing.