A blogger, Gbenga Dan-Asabe, on Tuesday, appeared in the Iyaganku Magistrates’ Court in Ibadan, Oyo State, facing accusations of spreading defamatory content against Satguru Maharaj Ji.
Despite being a 45-year-old publisher of Asabe Africa Afrika TV on YouTube, Dan-Asabe pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against him.
He was arrested by the police on three counts, including conspiracy, defamation, and publishing false news against Maharaj Ji.
According to the prosecution counsel, ASP M. O. Lawal, Dan-Asabe is accused of collaborating with others to broadcast the defamatory material.
“The defendant with intent to injure the reputation and expose him to hatred was alleged to have unlawfully published the defamatory matter in ‘Iwe Iroyin Yoruba Tooto’ against Satguru Maharaj Ji.
“Asabe allegedly published that Satguru Maharaj Ji is a ritualist who sells human body parts for money rituals, knowing same to be false,” he said.
Lawal stated that the offense is in violation of the provisions outlined in Section 373 and is punishable under Sections 376 and 516 of the Criminal Code Laws of Oyo State, 2000.
On the other hand, the defense counsel, Kemi Fowosola, requested that Dan-Asabe be granted bail under the most lenient terms.
The magistrate, Mr. Olaolu Olanipekun, approved the defendant’s bail in the amount of N200,000, with two sureties required to provide a similar sum.
Additionally, he specified that one of the sureties must be a relative of the defendant. Olanipekun adjourned the case until February 22, 2024, for further proceedings.