Gbenga Dan-Asabe, a blogger, appeared before the Iyaganku Magistrates’ Court in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Tuesday, facing charges of disseminating defamatory content against Satguru Maharaj Ji.
The 45-year-old, known as the publisher of Asabe Africa Afrika TV on YouTube, entered a plea of not guilty to the three charges brought against him by the police authorities. The charges include conspiracy, defamation, and publishing false news against Maharaj Ji.
During the court proceedings, the prosecution counsel, ASP M. O. Lawal, asserted that Dan-Asabe had allegedly collaborated with others to broadcast the defamatory material.
“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.
“Asabe allegedly published that Satguru Maharaj Ji is a ritualist who sells human body parts for money rituals, knowing same to be false,” he said.
Lawal mentioned that the violation ran afoul of the stipulations in Section 373 and is punishable under Sections 376 and 516 of the Criminal Code Laws of Oyo State, 2000.
On the other hand, the defense counsel, Kemi Fowosola, requested that Dan-Asabe be released on bail under the most lenient conditions.
The magistrate, Mr. Olaolu Olanipekun, granted bail to the defendant in the amount of N200,000 with two sureties of equal value. Additionally, he specified that one of the sureties must be a relative of the defendant.
Olanipekun, however, scheduled the case for hearing on February 22, 2024.