Nigeria: Blogger Arrested for ‘Defaming’ Governor Abiodun Spends 100 Days in Detention

Mr Adewale has been in police custody since 13 May

A blogger, Bashiru Adewale, who was allegedly detained on the orders of the Ogun State governor, Dapo Abiodun, has counted 100 days behind bars.

Mr Adewale has been in police custody since 13 May.

He allegedly republished a story titled ‘I Was Arrested for Fraud in the US, But APC Cannot Disqualify Me: Dapo Abiodun.’

The story was originally published by Peoples Gazette on 27 April.

The State Security Service (SSS) arrested Mr Adewale on the accusation of defamation of character and cybercrime and transferred him to the police who took him to court.

The Federal High Court in Abeokuta, Ogun State, however, granted him bail on 27th May, on terms which include the sum of N3 million with two sureties in the sum of N1 million.

His other bail conditions include “One of the sureties shall be a civil servant on GL 15 with the Federal, state, or local government within Abeokuta Metropolis, while the other shall be the owner of an established business within the jurisdiction and both shall be owners of properties within the Abeokuta metropolis.

“The sureties shall deposit title documents with the Registrar of this court during the pendency of this trial.

“The sureties and the defendant himself shall have their homes, office/business addresses their banking details, both personal and business, and all their telephone numbers verified by the Registrar of this Honorable court.

“The surety (businessman) shall deposit his Corporate Affairs Commission Business Registration Certificate while the Civil Servant shall deposit his/her international passport with the registrar of this court to be held during the pendency of this trial.”

Stuck in prison

Mr Adewale’s former lawyer, Festus Ogun, told PREMIUM TIMES that he is still in detention because he could not meet the stringent bail conditions.

Mr Ogun said he had recused himself from the case “on principle.”

The lawyer lamented that none of the accused person’s family members has come for him since he was arrested.

Social media campaign

In the wake of Mr Adewale’s continued incarceration, social media users have launched a #FreeLabashNow campaign calling for his release.

On Twitter, Xander Obi said, ” The Nigerian government despises, hates and treats her own journalists with so much disrespect. So said”

The Nigerian government despises, hates and treats her own journalists with so much disrespect. So sad– Xander Obi (@xanders101) August 20, 2022

Ogie @Marythesa also said: ” You mean d eleyi of Ogun state? Hmmmmm! How come no one talked about d one gov wike held for over 2 months in rivers state, a sitting hon member! Y do u guys just pick and select who u call out? They must be called out irrespective of which party they are affiliated with! Yes”

The Nigerian government despises, hates and treats her own journalists with so much disrespect. So sad– Xander Obi (@xanders101) August 20, 2022

Also, D-One @FayemiOluomo posted, “Keeping the guy till now even after deleting the publication may be an indication that what the guy published is true.”

Keeping the guy till now even after deleting the publication may be an indication that what the guy published is true.– D-one (@FayemiOluomo) August 20, 2022

Annie Muyiwa @AnnieMuyiwa also posted: “Access to justice is unaffordable to most. To lay egg of justice in a corrupt system, you must feed layer lawyers! Until we the people band together to drag down and out unrighteous leaders, many will suffer in silence. What happens to those whose friends have no Twitter account?”

Access to justice is unaffordable to most. To lay egg of justice in corrupt system, you must feed layer lawyers! Until we the people band together to drag down and out unrighteous leaders, many will suffer in silence. What happens to those whose friends have no Twitter account?– Dr. Anne ‘Muyiwa #JusticeforWidows #44ChessChennai (@AnneMuyiwa) August 21, 2022

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