Date: 2018-10-24

An Area Court One sitting at Adewole Area of Ilorin has remanded two persons in Federal Prison, Oke-Kura, Ilorin for alleged defamation of character.

The accused persons, Titilayo Jimoh of Olokun Compound, Adeta Area of Ilorin and Olawale Azeez of Oke Foma Area of Ilorin are standing trial for allegedly defaming one Iya Alao Food Canteen located within the vicinity of Adeta Roundabout for keeping human head in her shop.

Police arraigned the two accused persons before the court on three count charge of criminal conspiracy, inciting disturbance and defamation of character contrary to section 97, 114 and 392 of penal code law.

Four other suspects are currently at large according to the police First Information Report (FIR).

It was alleged in the FIR that one of the accused persons, Titilayo Jimoh, on October 18, 2018 mobilised people in front of Iya Alao Food Canteen and spread rumour that the owner of the restaurant kept human head in her shop thereby defaming her character.

The FIR stated that the rumour attracted a large crowd with the intention to cause damage to Iya Alao's property.

The other accused person, Olawale Azeez allegedly gathered with four others at large in front of the restaurant and took photographs with the intention of causing further crises in the community.

The FIR reads, "On 18/10/2018 at about 1100hours, one Jimoh Idowu of 27 Sokoto road, Agbooba area of Ilorin came to Adewole Police Station and reported that, on the same date at about 1000hrs, you Titilayo Jimoh of Olokun Compound Adeta Area was seen mobilising people in front of Iya Alao Food Canteen situated at the above address and started spreading rumour to people within the vicinity, defaming her character by saying that she kept human head in her shop, which attracted large number of crowd, who were having intention of causing damage to her property.

"Today being 19/10/2018 at about 1200hrs, you Olawale Azeez Of Oke Foma Area of Ilorin and four others presently at large gathered in front of the restaurant taking photographs with aim of causing further crises within the community. When the two of you were questioned at the station as regard this, you could not give satisfactory account of your being there. You thereby committed above mentioned offences".

The court, however, granted the two accused persons bail on Monday after they perfected their bail condition and adjourned the matter till November 2, 2018.

The Herald reports that there was pandemonium at Iya Alao Food Canteen around Adeta roundabout area last week when some people gathered to damage the restaurant over allegation that the owner of the shop was in possession of human head.

It took the intervention of operatives of the Nigerian Police Force from 'D' Division of Kwara State Command before the situation could be brought under control.