Police arraign blogger for ‘defaming’ Guru Maharaj Ji

The police have arraigned Gbenga Dan-Asabe, a 45-year-old blogger, for allegedly publishing false news and defaming Sat Guru Maharaj ji, founder of One Love Family.

Dan-Asabe, publisher of Africa TV on YouTube, was brought before the Iyaganku Magistrate’s court in Ibadan where he pleaded not guilty to a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, defamation and publishing false news against Maharaj ji.

Kemi Fowosola, defence counsel, prayed the court to grant her client bail on the most liberal terms.

Olaolu Olanipekun, presiding magistrate, granted the defendant bail of N200,000 with two sureties in like sum.

Olanipekun said one of the sureties must be a relation to the defendant, and adjourned the matter till February 22 for hearing.

M. O. Lawal, the police counsel, told the court that on September 4, Dan-Asabe allegedly conspired with others to publish defamatory news against the complainant.

“The defendant with intent to injure the reputation and expose him to hatred was alleged to have unlawfully published the defamatory matter in ‘Iwe Iroyin Yoruba Tooto’ against SatGuru Maharaj ji,” Lawal said.

“Asabe allegedly published that SatGuru Maharaj ji is a ritualist who sells human body parts for money rituals, knowing same to be false.

“Defendant with intent to cause fear and alarm in the public unlawfully published false news against SatGuru Maharajji.”

Lawal added that the offence is contrary to the provisions of Section 373 and punishable under Sections 376, 59 and 516 of the Criminal Code Laws of Oyo State 2000.