In a recent development, a Federal High Court in Abuja has acquitted journalist Rotimi Jolayemi, who is also known as Oba Akewi, of allegations related to insulting former Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed.
The case was dismissed by Justice Emeka Nwite on Wednesday due to a lack of diligent prosecution.
Notably, the prosecutor, Joseph Offor, failed to appear in court, prompting the defendant’s lawyer, Soji Toki, to request the dismissal of the case.
Toki reminded the court that since March 30, when the matter was reassigned to the judge, the prosecutor had not been attending court proceedings.
Taking this into account, the judge granted Toki’s uncontested application and subsequently struck out the charges.
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.
