A 42-year-old man, Adebisi Benjamin, has been remanded at the Ilesa Correctional Centre following his arraignment before a Magistrate Court sitting in Osogbo, Osun State, over alleged defamatory social media publications against Osun State University.
The defendant was arraigned on Wednesday by the Osun State Police Command on a four-count charge bordering on alleged defamation and related offences.
Police prosecutor Elisha Olusegun told the court that the defendant, who operates a Facebook account under the name “Benjamin Adebisi,” allegedly published defamatory statements between February 8 and March 2026 across various social media platforms.
According to the prosecutor, “the publications were allegedly capable of injuring the reputation of the university, its vice-chancellor, Odunayo Clement Adebooye, and a senior academic, Amos Popoola, exposing them to hatred, contempt, and ridicule.”
Elisha further alleged that “the defendant made additional posts targeting Professor Popoola, including statements suggesting questionable professional conduct.”
He added that the defendant allegedly presented himself as a lecturer of the university in a manner likely to mislead members of the public.
The prosecutor informed the court that “the alleged offences are contrary to Section 373 and punishable under Sections 375, 484, and 249(d) of the Criminal Code Cap 34 Vol. II, Laws of Osun State of Nigeria, 2002.”
The defendant, said to be a former staff member of the institution, pleaded not guilty to the four counts preferred against him.
Defence counsel Tunbosun Oladipupo applied for bail in liberal terms, citing Section 36(4) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and arguing that “the charges remain mere allegations until proven otherwise.”
The prosecution opposed the application, telling the court that the defendant was initially difficult to apprehend and was eventually arrested in Akure, Ondo State, following electronic tracking.
In his ruling, the presiding magistrate, Olusegun Ayilara, granted bail in the sum of ₦5 million with two sureties.
Magistrate Ayilara directed that one surety must be a resident of Osogbo with valid documentation, while the other must be a blood relative of the defendant, and ordered him to deposit his international passport with the court.
The defendant, Benjamin, was unable to meet the bail conditions and was consequently remanded at the Ilesa Correctional Centre, while the matter was adjourned until April 14, 2026, for mention.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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