The Lagos State Police Command has dragged a 37-year-old blogger, Akanji Kofoworola before a Lagos Chief Magistrate’s Court in Yaba for allegedly using her Facebook page to publish, distribute, and project articles with obscene content against Nollywood actress Lizzy Anjorin.
Kofoworola, who was arrested by the operatives of the Zonal Police Command in Onikan, was arraigned before Magistrate Wahab Balogun on a three-count charge of conspiracy, publishing fake news, and defamation.
The prosecutor, ASP Salihu Kadiri, informed the court that the defendant and other bloggers, currently at large, committed the offences in Lagos from 2023 till date.
Kadiri accused the defendant of unlawfully publishing statements and rumours about the actress on Facebook which she knew or has reason to believe that such statements, rumours, and reports were false, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 39 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2015.
The police prosecutor also alleged that the defendant unlawfully displayed a pictorial representation of Anjorin on Facebook, thereby presenting her in a manner likely to provoke or bring disaffection within any section of the community, an offence punishable under Section 57 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2015.
He also told the court that the defendant, for the gain of social media likes and remuneration, allegedly distributed or projected articles and content deemed obscene and likely to corrupt the minds of viewers regarding the actress, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 150 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2015.
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Based on her plea, the prosecutor urged the court to remand the defendant in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Services pending the conclusion of the trial.
However, the defence lawyer, Akanji Kofoworola, moved an oral bail application on behalf of his client, arguing that the offences are bailable.
After listening to the lawyers, the Magistrate Balogun granted bail to the defendant in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties in like sum.
He then adjourned the case to August 21 for trial.
