Market women docked for allegedly defaming colleague

Two market women were on Thursday docked in an Iyaganku Magistrates’ Court, Ibadan, Oyo State, for allegedly defaming a colleague on social media.

The police charged Aminatu Wasiu, 36, and Opeyemi Adewole, 36, with conspiracy, conduct likely to cause breach of peace and defamation of character.

The prosecution counsel, Mr Philip Amusan, told the court that the two women committed the offence on April 10, around 4 p.m, in Ogunpa market, Ibadan.

Amusan alleged that the women deliberately injured the reputation of their fellow market woman, Ajoke Coker, by posting her picture with the caption: ‘Ajoke is a thief ‘ on social media.

He alleged that they conducted themselves in a manner likely to cause breach of peace by posting their fellow woman’s photograph and captioning it on social media.

Amusan said the offence contravened the provisions of sections 516, 375 and 249(d) of the Criminal laws of Oyo State, 2000.

The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The Magistrate, Mrs O. A Akande, admitted the defendants to bail in the sum of N100,000 each with one surety in like sum.

She adjourned the case until May 4 for hearing.