The Chief Magistrate in Akure, Ondo State, has ordered the remand of a TikTok content creator, Emmanuel Ajibade, at the Olokuta Correctional Centre for allegedly cyberbullying a Federal Road Safety Corps official.

The Chief Magistrate, Olateju Odenusi-Fadeyi, who gave the order on Thursday, said that Ajibade should be remanded till June 27, pending legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Mrs Odenusi-Fadeyi explained that the order was based on her ruling on the application of an affidavit submitted by the prosecution counsel, and counter affidavit submitted by the defendant counsel.

She said, “I have listened to the affidavit and counter affidavit of both the prosecution and the defence counsel.

I, hereby, order the remand of the defendant in Olokuta Correctional Centre, pending the legal advice from the DPP.

The case is, hereby, adjourned until June 27, 2025 for legal advice.”

Ajibade was arraigned before the Chief Magistrate court on April 24 for allegedly cyberbullying an official of FRSC.

Meanwhile, the police prosecutor, Inspector Taiwo Oniyere, earlier told the court that Ajibade and others at large, committed the offence at the Higher Height Area, Orita Obele in Akure.

Mr Oniyere said Ajibade conspired together with intent to commit felony to wit cyberstalking, cyberbullying and defamation.

According to him, the defendant spread falsehoods via checkers69 on TikTok to cause annoyance, inconvenience, danger, insults, and criminal defamation.

The prosecutor said, “His actions also resulted in intimidation, enmity and hatred, ill will and needless anxiety for Ibitoye Samuel, an official of FRSC in the state.”

He said that the offence was punishable under Section 27(b) and Section 24(b) of the Cyber Crime (Provision and Prevention) Act, 2015, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.

Mr Oniyere prayed the court to remand the defendant in the correctional centre in accordance to Section 269 Sub-section 2( b) of the laws of the federation.

However, the defendant’s counsels, A. F. Awala and O.I Tiwo, prayed to file a counter affidavit to the application.

(NAN)