An Ilorin Magistrate Court has granted bail to Dare Akogun of Sobi Fm and Abdulrasheed Akogun of Fresh Insight, two Kwara State-born journalists, accused of defaming the administration of Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, PRNigeria reports.
The journalists, who are brothers, were remanded at the Oke-Kura correctional facility last week following a petition by Rafiu Ajakaye, Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq
PRNigeria gathered that the Akogun brothers, on a popular WhatsApp group (Kwara Commission) had alleged that the AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq-led Kwara state government is the most corrupt government they have ever known.
They posited that some persons in the government, including the CPS Ajakaye, and other persons close to the government, facilitated the release of N15 million to influence the election of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) in favor of the government’s preferred candidate, during the June 2021 Kwara NUJ election.
However, based on Abdulrasheed and Dare’s comment on the particular WhatsApp group, PRNigeria learnt that the Governor’s CPS, Mr. Ajakaye, immediately submitted a petition to Kwara Police Command to investigate an alleged defamation by the Akogun brothers.
According to a source, the Police invited the Dare and Abdulrasheed for fact-finding on October 13, 2022.
Said the source, who pleaded for anonymity: “Akogun brothers as responsible citizens honoured Police invitation. The duo confirmed raising the allegations and promise to substantiate their claims before the court.
“Police Commissioner in Kwara State, CP Paul Odama advised Dare Akogun and Abdulrasheed Akogun to write apology letter the Chief Press Secretary which they refused and requested to have their days in court.
“Police detained them on Thursday but told ASKOMP and their friends on Friday morning that the duo were no longer in their custody.
“After the duo were declared missing by the protesters and Police custody as their last whereabouts. Police later admitted arresting the Akogun brothers and promise to arraign them within 24 hours
“Police arraigned them on Friday before Ilorin Magistrate Court. The magistrate court remanded them in prison to October 19, 2022 where they were granted the bail.
By PRNigeria