Pastor, Lecturer Arraigned For Spreading Fake News On WhatsApp In Ondo

A pastor, John Abiodun, and a university lecturer, Dr Lanre
Olu-Adeyemi, have appeared before the Ondo State High Court, Akure,
for allegedly spreading fake news about the founder of a church,
the Promised Land Prophetic Ministry, Akure, Pastor Gbenga
Akinbiyi.

Abiodun and Olu-Adeyemi were said to be members of the church
before things fell apart between them and the founder.

The defendants were alleged to be spreading fake news on the
social media that the church and its founder, Akinbiyi, as well as
other members allegedly buried a placenta and a newborn baby in the
altar.

The defendants were said to have petitioned the police on the
allegation, but in the course of investigation, a team of policemen
reportedly went into the church and dug up the altar but found
nothing buried there.

The defendants were arraigned on seven counts bordering on
conspiracy, publication of fake news, perjury, impersonation and
threatening violence.

The charges read in part, “That you, John Abiodun and Lanre
Olu-Adeyemi, on or about January 13, 2019, around 9am at Akure in
the Akure Judicial Division, conspired together to publish
life-threatening and inciting stories about one Ajidahun Emmanuel
Jeminiyi, which is punishable under Section 59 of the Criminal
Code, Cap 37, Vol. 1, Laws of Ondo State, 2006.

“That you, John Abiodun and Lanre Olu-Adeyemi, on or about
January 13, 2019, around 9am in Akure, in the Akure Judicial
Division, did publish on different WhatsApp platforms falsehood
against Ajidahun Jeminiyi, punishable under Section 117 of the
Criminal Code, Cap 37, Vol. 1, Laws of Ondo State, 2006.

“That you, John Abiodun, on or about June 24, 2019, around 1pm
at the High Court Registry, Akure, deposed to an affidavit of oath
against one Pastor Gbenga Akinbiyi and the Promised Land Prophetic
Ministry, knowing that the depositions were false. This is
punishable under Section 484 of the Criminal Code, Cap 37, Vol. 1,
Laws of Ondo State.

“That you, John Abiodun, on or about January 13, 2019, in Akure,
through various social media platforms with a mobile number
09061720016 under the user name, Fausat Seekers, threatened to deal
with one Ajidahun Jeminiyi and his family, which amounts to
threatening violence and is punishable under Section 86 of the
criminal Code, Cap 37, Vol. 1, Laws of Ondo State 2006.”

The prosecutor, Bose Tunde-Alarape, informed the court that it
had been difficult to serve the second defendant, Olu-Adeyemi, with
the notice on motion.

Justice Olabode Adegbehingbe urged the counsel and all parties
involved in the matter to make the process of service and
appearance in court prompt and of importance.

Justice Adegbehingbe ordered that the second defendant be
properly served with the court order and adjourned the case till
January 30 and February 3, 18, 24 and 26, 2020, for the
hearing.

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