In April, a magistrate court sitting in Abuja struck out the case bordering on criminal intimidation, threat to life, cyberstalking, and cyberbullying filed against the social media influencer, Ijele.
The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on Monday rejected an oral bail application made by Chizorom Harrison Ofoegbu, popularly known as Ijele.
In April, a magistrate court sitting in Abuja struck out the case bordering on criminal intimidation, threat to life, cyberstalking, and cyberbullying filed against the social media influencer, Ijele.
Chief Magistrate Emmanuel Iyanna while ruling on the bail application filed through his lawyer struck out the case for lack of jurisdiction.
The judge, however, ordered the police to arraign the blogger before a competent court of law to enable the defendant to take his plea in line with the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice (ACJA) 2015.
SaharaReporters had reported that court documents revealed how the Nigeria Police Force, acting on the ‘orders’ of Evangelist Ebuka Obi’s Zion Prayer Ministry Movement Outreach, secured an order from the Chief Magistrate Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja to remand Ijele in prison for two weeks to move his case to a High Court.
SaharaReporters had reported how the police detained Ijele over his allegations against Evangelist Ebuka Obi.
However, on Monday, Ijele’s lawyer, Mr Femi Falana (SAN) made an oral application for bail on behalf of his client.
But the prosecutor countered the bail application, saying the prosecution team had weighty evidence against Ijele.
Falana said there is no law against oral bail application if the court has enough materials at its discretion as in the case of MKO Abiola Vs Nigeria 1994 when he was charged with treason.
But Justice Aluko rejected the oral application and said a formal application should be filed for the court to consider.
Falana prayed to the court that the defendant should be returned to the police station but the police said he should be taken to prison.
He is to be remanded in prison pending bail determination.
The case was adjourned to May 30, 2024.
