Kunle Adelabu & Wale Jagun
There was a new turn of event to the widely circulated stories of an alleged murder of one Mr Tony Godfrey in Ijede Local Council Development Area of Ikorodu Division, Lagos State, Southwest, Nigeria, in 2021, as the petitioner, Mr Oluwatosin Onamade is being charged for offensive publications and falsehood in respect of the alleged murder.
In a matter instituted at the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, by the Inspector – General of Police on Monday, January 16, 2022, with Suit No: FHC/1/32C/2021, Mr Onamade, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and a former Ijede Chairmanship aspirant , was charged on two counts.
In the matter before Hon. Justice A.O. Faji of the Court 2, THE IMPACT gathered that the defendant is being alleged to have committed offenses punishable under sections 24 and section 24 (2) (a) of the Cybercrimes Act, 2015.
It was alleged that the Defendant sometime in May 2021 allegedly committed an illegal act by intentionally circulating a grossly offensive publication through “your Facebook/Instagram handle which you knew to be false, for the purpose of causing insult to one Hon. Fathiu Salisu, former Chairman of Ijede LCDA”.
He was also alleged to have posted chats on his WhatsApp to harass the former Council boss by falsely alleging that he sponsored an attack at Western Funeral Home Limited which led to the death of one Tony Godfrey.
Barrister Victor I. Okoye was the counsel to the Complainant (the Inspector – General of Police).
We also gathered that the Defendant or his lawyer were not present at the court today.
In the matter, THE IMPACT also gathered that Hon. Fathiu Salisu, former Chiarman, Ijede LCDA and CPS Omaka Udodinmma and his team that investigated the matter will be witnesses in the case before the Federal High Court.
The matter was adjourned till February 16, 2022, for the Applicant to produce the accused in court for hearing.
THE IMPACT gathered that the allegations against Hon. Fathiu Salisu that he allegedly sponsored the attack that led to the death of one Tony Godfrey, which were widespread during the 2021 Local Government electioneering, denied him return ticket for a second term in office.
It was said that his party, APC, denied him the ticket based on the allegations as contained in the petition sponsored by Mr Oluwtosin Onamade who was an aspirant for the Chairmanship position.
In a phone conversation with Mr Onamade after the matter was adjourned, he said that he was not aware of any matter against him at the Federal Court.
“I am not aware of any matter against me at the Federal High Court at all. In actual fact, it is very strange to me”, he said.
“I have no knowledge that I have any charge at the Federal High Court. The only matter that I have is at the Ikorodu High Court which bothers on fundamental human rights.
“I should know if anyone is charging me. Sincerely, I am not aware of any until you call to know why I was not in court today to give my side of the story”, he added.
“I really thank you for asking for my side of the matter and bringing my attention to this. I will do my own findings and get back to you”, Mr Onamade said.
