A clergyman from Osun State, Apostle Niyi Peter, appeared in court on Thursday, for allegedly defaming a gospel singer Bunmi Akinnaanu, also known as Omije Ojumi, on social media.
Peter was charged with three offenses after allegedly sharing a picture of the singer online and referring to her work as a “prostitute song,” causing anger among her supporters and fellow artists.
During the hearing before Magistrate Dr. Olusegun Ayilara, the court heard that Peter, in April 2024, posted a defamatory message on WhatsApp, damaging Akinnaanu’s reputation.
The charge reads, “You, Apostle Niyi Peter, male, in the month of April 2024, at about 12:00 pm at Oke-Odo Area, Osogbo, in the Osogbo Magisterial District, did defame the character of one Bunmi Akinnaanu, a.k.a. Omije Ojumi, by posting her picture and tagging it ‘prostitute song’ on social media via your WhatsApp number.”
Apostle Niyi Peter was also accused of sending a threatening voice message to Bunmi Akinnaanu, telling her she “would perish and never rise again.”
The charges further stated that Peter’s actions were likely to disturb public peace by spreading false and damaging claims about the gospel artist.
“You, Apostle Niyi Peter, on the same date, time, and place, conducted yourself in a manner likely to cause a breach of peace by falsely damaging the character of Bunmi Akinnaanu, a.k.a. Omije Ojumi,” it reads.
The cleric’s actions violate sections 373, 88, and 249(D) of the Criminal Code, Osun State, 2002.
But Peter denied the allegations and His lawyer, Mr. Okobe Najite, requested that he be granted bail.
Magistrate Ayilara set bail at N1 million, requiring two sureties who must be government employees. The case will continue on Tuesday, October 22, 2024.
Meanwhile, another pastor, Mike Ademisoye Babamojigbare, has urged both parties to settle their differences peacefully.
KanyiDaily recalls that Ghanaian gospel singer, Ohemaa Mercy recently claimed that God gave her permission to divorce her husband, Mr. Twum-Ampofo.
