Popular traditionalist, Azeez Adegbola, a.k.a Tal’Olohun and his accomplice, Ademola Olawore, may spend more days at the correctional facility, as a Kwara State Upper Area Court, sitting in Ilorin, refused to grant them bail on Monday.
After listening to the arguments for bail application for the two traditionalists by their counsel, Mr Ademola Banks, the presiding judge, Mr Sunday Adeniyi, asked the lawyer to file a written motion before the court for the release of the two defendants
Earlier, the court had ruled that it has jurisdiction to try a defamation case brought against Tal’Olohun and Olawoore (Oluwo Nla of Tede).
It ruled that it has jurisdiction to try the case, adding that the charges brought against the two defendants were different from what was preferred against them at the Magistrate Court while the complainants in the two cases were also different.
After the ruling by the court, the two defendants were immediately arraigned on fresh charges and the court took their plea.
The duo were slammed with alleged conspiracy, disturbance of public peace, inciting disturbance, criminal defamation of character and intentional insult to provoke breach of peace contrary to Sections 96, 113, 114, 391, 399 of the Penal code law of Nigeria.
The complaints were filed before the court by A.A. Abolaji Ajasa and Co on behalf of an Islamic cleric, Alfa Okutagidi, of number 105, Pakata Road, Ilorin, Kwara state.
The prosecution alleged that Tal’Olohun made a video where he maliciously claimed that the late Okutagidi’s father, who was a prominent Islamic scholar in Kwara State and who made historic contributions to Islamic teaching and literature across Yoruba land, sought spiritual assistance from Osun deity during his lifetime which he posted on his facebook on July 1, 2023.
He further alleged that Tal’Olohun also posted in the video that the complainant, who succeeded his father, also consulted Osun worshipers for spiritual assistance for his childless wife and to which Osun deity gave his wife a child.
The prosecution also alleged that Oluwo Nla of Tede in another video with Tal’Olohun conspired that the late father of the complaint had many idols during his lifetime which he used to worship, adding that he learned of this when he was a student under the late cleric.
The prosecution led by Umar Imam said that the video had generated controversy in the country and caused an embarrassment to Okutagidi and made people hate him.
The two defendants in separate pleas denied the allegations.
The defence Counsels led by Mr Ademola Banks urged the court to grant their clients bail in liberal terms, saying that the offence is ordinarily bailable while they were ready to provide suitable surety.
However, the prosecuting counsel opposed the bail for the defendants, adding that they would escape to the neighbouring countries if they are allowed to go home.
The presiding judge, Mr Sunday Adeniyi, however, told the counsel to file a written motion before the Court for the release of the two defendants.
The case was, therefore, adjourned till September 20, 2023 for further hearing.
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