A 37-year-old woman, Akanji Kofoworola, has been arraigned before a Lagos Chief Magistrate’s Court for allegedly using her Facebook account to publish, distribute or promote defamatory and obscene content against Nollywood actress and businesswoman, Chief (Mrs.) Lizzy Anjorin.
Kofoworola was arraigned on a three count-charge by the operatives of the Zone Police Command, Onikan, Lagos before Magistrate Wahab Balogun.
The charge bothers on conspiracy, publishing of fake news and defamation.
The prosecutor, ASP Haruna Ibrahim, has told the court that the defendant and other bloggers, now at large committed the offences in Lagos, since 2023 till now.
The offences according to the prosecutor, ASP Salihu Kadiri, contravened sections 39, 57 and 150 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2015. And punishable under the same laws.
The charges against the Facebook user read: “That you Akanji Kofoworola ‘F’ and other Bloggers at large, from 2023 till date, somewhere in Lagos State in the Lagos State magisterial district did unlawfully publish, Statements, rumor about one Chief Mrs. Lizzy Anjorin on Face Book, a platform on social media, knowing, or having reason to believe that such Statements, rumour and report are false thereby committed an offence punishable under section 39 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2015.
“That you Akanji Kofoworola ‘F’, and other Bloggers at large, same time and place, in the Lagos State magisterial district did unlawfully display to the public pictorial representation of one Chief Mrs. Lizzy Anjorin on Face Book, a platform on social media, using the said public space to present her in a manner likely provoke or bring into disaffection any section of the community, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 57 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2015.
“That you Akanji Kofoworola ‘F’, and other Bloggers at large, same time and place, in the Lagos State magisterial district, did for gain of social media likes and renumeration distribute or project articles and content deemed to be obscene and likely to corrupt the minds of viewers towards the personality of Chief Mrs. Lizzy Anjorin, thereby committing an offence punishable under section 150 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2015.”
The defendant, during her arraignment, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Following her not guilty plea, the prosecutor, ASP Ibrahim, prayed the court to remand her pending the determination of the charge.
But the defendant’s lawyer, orally applied for her bail application, on the the ground that the charges are bailable one.
The presiding Magistrate after listening to the lawyer’s submission, admitted bail to the defendant in the sum of N100, 000 with two sureties in like sum and some other conditions.
Meanwhile, trial has been adjourned to August 21, 2025.
