A Magistrate Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, has ordered the remand of a former deputy governorship aspirant under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Mr. Idowu Afuye, over allegations of cyberbullying and defamation against the Senator representing Ekiti North Senatorial District, Cyril Fasuyi.
The embattled politician was arraigned following a petition filed by Senator Fasuyi, who accused Afuye of engaging in sustained acts of blackmail and online harassment through various digital platforms.
According to credible judicial sources, Afuye was picked up by the police after preliminary investigations linked him to defamatory materials allegedly targeted at damaging the reputation of the senator.
The online posts, said to have gone viral within the state’s political circle, reportedly accused Senator Fasuyi of misconduct and misrepresentation in office.
A court official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed to PLATFORM TIMES that the arraignment followed a formal petition lodged by Fasuyi.
“Yes, he [Afuye] has been remanded. He was charged to court after the police concluded their investigation. The case is tied to cyberbullying, blackmail and defamation,” the source stated.
Afuye, who contested as the deputy governorship candidate of the ADC during the last gubernatorial elections in Ekiti, has yet to issue an official statement regarding the charges.
The court, after listening to submissions by the prosecution, ordered Afuye’s remand at the Ado-Ekiti Correctional Centre pending further hearing on the matter.
The development has sparked reactions from political observers and civil society groups in Ekiti, some of whom are calling for a balanced approach to digital free speech and responsible political engagement.
Others insist that individuals must be held accountable for deliberate attempts to tarnish reputations through misinformation and cyber harassment.
Senator Fasuyi has not made any public comment since the court decision but is expected to speak at a scheduled press briefing next week.
The case is expected to resume in the coming days as the prosecution prepares to present more evidence to support the charges.
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