Court grants embattled blogger N1m bail

dimeji akinloye

April 12, 2017 6:57 AM

In his ruling, the judge said the accused must produce a surety in like sum, and the surety must be resident in a verifiable address in Port Harcourt metropolis.

Kemi Olunloyo, seen in a prison uniform. was released on Monday, January 22, 2018.

Controversial blogger,

A Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Tuesday, April 11, granted the bail application filed by Olunloyo's counsel, Fatai Lawal.

The accused had been detained at the Port Harcourt Maximum Prisons for weeks over alleged libel.

The General Overseer of Salvation Ministries, Pastor David Ibiyeomie filed a libel suit against the blogger for allegedly publishing false reports of adultery about him.

While delivering ruling, Justice H.I.O. Shamah said the court exercised its discretionary power, considering that the offence she is arraigned for is bailable.

The judge said the accused must produce a surety in like sum, and the surety must be resident in a verifiable address in Port Harcourt metropolis.

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The surety, if a civil servant, should not be below Level 12 and must submit his or her letter of employment, as well as staff identity card. The surety would also sign an undertaking to ensure the accused did not jump bail and to bring her to court on adjourned dates, Justice Shamah said.

The judge added that Olunloyo must submit her international passport to the court and sign an undertaking never to influence the court proceedings and to appear in court any day the matter is adjourned.

However, Lawal, lawyer to the accused, described the bail conditions long and rigid but expressed hope that they will meet it.

dimeji akinloye