BANIK Defamation Case: Court Marches Muniru’s Supporters Out of Court

The trial of the Special Adviser to Osun State Governor on Political Matters, Alhaji Muniru Raji took a dramatic turn on Wednesday, as Justice Adefunmilola Demi-Ajayi of the Federal High Court Osogbo marched his supporters out of court.

Muniru is being prosecuted by the Attorney General of the Federation following a petition to the Inspector General of Police, by the former Commissioner for Local Governments and Chieftaincy Affairs in the state, Prince Adebayo Adeleke (BANIK) accusing the Special Adviser of defaming his character.

Muniru had accused BANIK of securing a contract through his company, BANIK Investment Ltd during the administration of former Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola and absconded with the contract money without executing the project.

BANIK denied the allegations and requested that Muniru should be made to produce the evidence of his claim or face legal action, with a view to remedy the defamation of his character on the radio and internet.

Recalled that Governor Adeleke’s Special Adviser had earlier pleaded not guilty before Justice Ayo Emmanuel over the same charge and was on bail before the transfer of the Presiding Judge out of the state.

Also recalled that during the mention of the case on November 27, 2024, before Justice Adefunmilola Demi-Ajayi who took over the matter, neither the accused who was billed to retake his plea before the new judge nor his lawyer showed up, a development that the presiding judge frown at and sent note of warning to the duo against making flimsy excuses.

At the resumption of his trial on Wednesday, Muniru had mobilized his supporters to the court to solidarised with him, but the action boomeranged as the Presiding judge directed that his supporters or any other observer without direct link to the case should vacate the court room immediately.

Afterward, Alhaji Muniru was docked and the charge with which he was brought to court and earlier granted bail was read over to him for his plea.

In a three count charge, the IGP accused Governor Adeleke’s aide of conspiring with others at large to commit cyberstalking and defamation of character against Prince BANIK.

The charge added that Muniru, on April 22, 2024, conspired with others at large, and alleged Prince Adeleke of obtaining contract from the government of the former Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola and absconded with the contract sum without executing the project awarded to him through various electronics and social media platforms.

Muniru again pleaded not guilty and following his lawyer’s application was granted bail on the charge for the second term.