BREAKING: Court Remands Nigerian Journalist Who Sang Critical Poem Against Minister Of Information

Report says a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the remand of Rotimi Jolayemi, popularly called Oba Akewi, the journalist who sang a poem critical of Lai Mohammed, Nigeria's Minister of Information and Culture.

Saharareporters gathered that, the court ordered Jolayemi to be remanded by the Nigeria Police Force Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department headquarters, Area 10, Abuja, after he was arraigned in court on Thursday in suit number: FHC/ABJ/CB/104/2020.

Joseph Offor led the prosecution while two lawyers, Soji Toki and RO Adakole, appeared for Jolayemi.

Jolayemi had earlier been charged for acting in a manner, which caused ‘annoyance’ and ‘hatred’ to the Minister of Information and Culture in contravention of Section 24(b) of the Cybercrimes Act, 2015. 

Many Nigerians have described the charge as laughable. 

However, Jolayemi who pleaded not guilty to all six new charges against him had earlier complain about ill-health, which also was confirmed by the police, despite the fact, Offor urged the court to remand Jolayemi in a correctional facility.

The court adjourned the case to June 16, 2020 but ordered the remand of Jolayemi to the Force headquarters, Area 10, Abuja pending when his bail application would be taken to continue his treatment.