TikToker Remanded In Prison For Defaming Ondo FRSC Official

On Thursday, the Akure Division of the Magistrates’ Court in Ondo State directed the detention of TikTok content creator Emmanuel Ajibade at the Olokuta Correctional Centre due to accusations of cyberbullying a Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) official.

Ajibade was arraigned before the court by the police for allegedly perpetrating the offence on April 24, 2025. Police prosecutor Inspector Taiwo Oniyere stated that the defendant, along with others who remain at large, was charged with cyberstalking, cyberbullying, and defamation at the Higher Height Area, Orita Obele in Akure.

Oniyere claimed that Ajibade utilized the TikTok account “checkers69” to disseminate false information designed to “cause annoyance, inconvenience, danger, insults, and criminal defamation.” He noted that the shared content resulted in “intimidation, enmity and hatred, ill will and needless anxiety” for FRSC official Ibitoye Samuel.

The prosecutor highlighted that the charges are punishable under Section 27(b) and Section 24(b) of the Cyber Crime (Prohibition and Prevention) Act, 2015, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria. He urged the court to detain Ajibade in custody to facilitate further investigation into the alleged offences.

Defence counsel A.F. Awala asked the court to permit him to submit a counter-affidavit in response to the police’s application. In her judgment, Chief Magistrate Olateju Odenusi-Fadeyi declared, “I have listened to the affidavit and counter-affidavit of both the prosecution and the defence counsel.”

“I, hereby, order the remand of the defendant in Olokuta Correctional Centre, pending the legal advice from the DPP,” she ruled. Ajibade will remain in custody until June 27, 2025.

A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.

Nnamdi Okoli