The bid of the popular traditionalist, Abdulazeez Agboola Tani Olohun to secure his freedom suffered another setback on Tuesday as Kwara state Magistrate’s court sitting in Ilorin, again turned down the application to admit him to an administrative bail.
The presiding Magistrate, Mr Mohammed Ibrahim ruled that Tani Olohun would run away and would no longer report for trial of the alleged defamation preferred against him if he was allowed bail by the court.
Tani Olohun was standing trial for alleged criminal defamation of character and inciting public disturbance against a group known as “Ogo Ilorin” in a video which had gone viral on the social contrary to sections 97, 210, 392, and 114 of the penal code law of Nigeria.
The traditionalist was alleged to have defamed some famous Islamic scholars, including Alfa Tonile Okutagidi and the Emir of Ilorin, Alh Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari in the viral video.
Tani Olohun’s lead counsel, Mr Ademola Banks had last week Wednesday filed a written application before the court to plead for his bail.
The counsel argued that the offence preferred against the defendant was bailable and that his client was ready to present a reliable surety to the court to stand for him.
He pleaded with the court to grant the defendant bail in liberal terms, adding that he was ready to satisfy the bail condition if granted by the court.
However, the police prosecutor, Mr Nazir Yusuf opposed the bail application, arguing that the reasons advanced the defendant’s counsel were not genuine to warrant granting bail to the defendant.
He said, “the reasons put up for the bail in the application contradict one another and had defeated the purpose of the bail to be granted to the defendant.”
He further argued that the court does not have a known address of the defendant, adding that “the court may not know how to trace the defendant if he absconds or jumps bail granted by the court.
The presiding judge, Mr Mohammed Ibrahim agreed with the submission of the prosecution and dismissed the bail application.
He said that “Tani Olohun was safe in the custody of the Federal Correctional Centre where he was staying.”
Tani Olohun was first arraigned before the Magistrate’s court for alleged criminal defamation and inciting public disturbance on August 17,2023.
