A clergyman in Osun State, Niyi Peter, was arragned on Thursday before a Chief Magistrate’s Court sitting in Osogbo for allêgedly defaming popular gospel artiste, Bunmi Akinnaanu, also known by her stage name Omije Ojumi, via social media.
Peter, facing a three-c0unt charge, after being accused of posting a picture of the artiste on social media and labelling it a “prostitute song,” sparking outrage among her fans and colleagues.
Appearing before Magistrate Dr Olusegun Ayilara, details from the charge sheet read that, “You, Apostle Niyi Peter, male, in the month of April 2024, at about 12:00 pm at Oke-Odo Area, Osogbo, in the Osogbo Magisterial District, did dēfame the character of one Bunmi Akinnaanu, a.k.a. Omije Ojumi, by posting her picture and tagging it ‘prostitute song’ on social media via your WhatsApp number.”
The clergyman was also accúsed of sending a threatening voice note to Akinnaanu, stating that she “will perish and never rïse again.”
The charge further read, “You, Apostle Niyi Peter, on the same date, time, and place, conducted yourself in a manner likely to cause a breach of peace by falsely damaging the charactercter of Bunmi Akinnaanu, a.k.a. Omije Ojumi.”
The offences are said to contravene sections 373, 88, and 249(D) of the Criminal Code Cap 34 Vol. II, Laws of Osun State of Nigeria, 2002.
Peter, however, pleadëd not güilty to the charges. His counsel, Mr Okobe Najite, úrged the court to grant Peter bail.
Ruling on the bail application, Magistrate Ayilara adm¡tted Peter to bail in the sum of N1 million with two suretíes, both of whom must be civil servants.
The case was adjoúrned until Tuesday, October 22, 2024, for further hearing.
Another pastor, Mike Ademisoye Babamojigbare has, however, called on both parties to resolve their conflict amicably.