Court Discharges Journalist Accused Of Insulting Lai Mohammed

Lai Mohammed

A journalist, Rotimi Jolayemi, also known as Oba Akewi, who was arraigned over allegations bordering on insulting the immediate past minister of information and culture Lai Mohammed, has been discharged by the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.

Justice Emeka Nwite struck out the case on Wednesday for lack of diligent prosecution.

The prosecutor, Joseph Offor did not appear in court, prompting the defendant’s lawyer Soji Toki to apply that the matter be struck out.

Toki reminded the court that since Offor was in court on March 30 after the matter was reassigned to the judge, the prosecutor had not been coming to court.

The judge granted Toki’s application for being non-contested and struck out the charge.

Jolayemi, who anchors a Yoruba radio programme, “Bi aye se ri” on Osun State Broadcasting Service and Radio Kwara, was on May 5, 2020, arrested by the police for reciting a poem which was critical of the minister.

The prosecutor said the audio file caused annoyance, ill-will, hatred, and insults towards the minister.

The matter was initially assigned to Justice Anwuli Chikere in 2020 before her retirement.

Justice Chikere ordered Jolayemi’s remand in police custody.

He was later granted bail before the matter was reassigned to Justice Nwite.