A federal high court in Abuja has dismissed a case brought
against Bolanle Aseyan, a medical doctor accused of cybercrime and
cyberbullying.
The office of the inspector-general of police (IGP) had
filed a four-count charge against Aseyan for allegedly harassing and
intimidating Olufunmilayo Ogunsanya, a UK-based medical doctor popularly known
as @OurFavOnlineDoc on X.
In June 2020, Aseyan had, in a flurry of tweets, accused
Ogunsanya of abusing her sexually and emotionally over the course of their
one-year relationship.
Ogunsanya had, however, dismissed her claims, explaining
that they only had s__x under the influence of alcohol at the time they were
cohabiting.
He had also threatened legal action against Aseyan and
demanded £10,000 (about N4.8 million) for the damages her allegations had
caused him.
In a charge filed in Nigeria, the police accused Aseyan of
causing harm to the reputation of her ex-lover on social media, contrary to the
provisions of the Cyberbullying Prevention and Prohibition Act.
During the trial, the police called three witnesses, while
the female doctor called two witnesses.
However, in a judgment delivered on Friday, Peter Lifu,
presiding judge, held that the ingredients of the charges against the defendant
were not provided by the police as required by law.
The judge stated that evidence of threats and intimidation
was not presented to the court, adding that there was evidence of a love
relationship between both parties before the altercations and hostilities.
The court also noted that both parties made reciprocal
social media posts after their breakup.
The judge further said the prosecution failed to tender key
evidence, including the defendant’s social media handle, and did not prove
threats or intimidation as required by law. Consequently, all four charges
against Aseyan were dismissed.
The judge ordered that seized properties, including the
international passport of the defendant, must be returned to her forthwith by
the police upon being served with the judgment.
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