A former governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State, Abimbola Olawumi, has been arraigned before a Chief Magistrate’s Court in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

She was docked over allegations of cyberbullying, criminal intimidation and making false accusations against the Chief Executive Officer of YSJ Farms Limited, Mrs. Yemisi Joluwe, and two other individuals.

Olawumi, who sought the APC governorship ticket ahead of the 2026 election but was disqualified before the party’s primary, was arrested in Abuja on Wednesday by operatives of the Ekiti State Police Command.

She is currently challenging her disqualification at the Supreme Court after unsuccessful legal battles at the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal.

The defendant was arraigned on Thursday before Chief Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun on a four-count charge and pleaded not guilty to all the allegations.

According to the charge sheet, the prosecution alleged that between March 2026 and the period under review, Olawumi unlawfully used Facebook and TikTok to publish the photographs, residential addresses and alleged threatening messages directed at Mrs. Yemisi Samuel Joluwe, Mr. Adeleke Ajibade and Mrs. Okewale Olayemi.

The police further accused her of falsely alleging on social media that Joluwe embezzled Ekiti State Government funds without any factual basis. The offences are said to contravene Sections 398 and 106 of the Criminal Law of Ekiti State, 2021.

When the case came up, counsel to the defendant, Odunayo Okunade, urged the court to admit his client to bail, describing the charges as bailable offences.

“They are all bailable offences, and this court is empowered to grant these prayers. She is a senior citizen of this state and was one of the contestants for the office of Governor in Ekiti State. We urge the court to grant her bail,” he submitted.

The Police Prosecutor, Samson Osobu, informed the court that the prosecution had no objection to the bail application.

In his ruling, Chief Magistrate Adeosun admitted Olawumi to bail on self-recognition and adjourned the matter until July 28, 2026, for further hearing.

Meanwhile, the Ekiti State Government has distanced itself from the arrest and prosecution of the former APC governorship aspirant, urging the public to disregard reports suggesting it influenced the police action.

The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dayo Apata, SAN, said in a statement that the government neither ordered Olawumi’s arrest nor directed her prosecution, insisting that law enforcement agencies operate independently of the state government.

According to him, the administration of Governor Biodun Oyebanji remains committed to the rule of law and the protection of citizens’ fundamental rights.

“Ekiti State Government under the current democratic dispensation obeys the rule of law and respects the personal liberty and freedom of all citizens.

“The law enforcement agencies carry out their duties separately without any control from the State Government.

“We advise the public and the media to ignore false stories linking the Ekiti State Government to this arrest,” Apata said. (Nigerian Tribune)

Update news