A 23-year-old salesgirl, Nifemi Friday, who allegedly called a businessman and his wife “ritualists” was on Wednesday remanded at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre by an Eti-Osa Chief Magistrate’s Court, for stealing goods worth N5,200,000 and defamation of character.
Magistrate Mrs T. F. Oyaniyi ordered the remanded after she pleaded not guilty to the two counts brought against her by the police.
Friday is facing town counts of stealing and defamation of character against her.
The police in the charge marked ET/C/18/2025, accused the defendant (Friday) of stealing goods at a mall and calling a businessman, Mr. Lateef Lawal and his wife ritualists.
The prosecutor, Inspector Adeleye Ganiu, of the Ogombo Police Division, Lagos, told the court that Friday committed the offences on December 23, 2024, at about 1.00 p.m. at the Obas Mall Okun Ajah, in Eti-Osa of Lagos State.
Ganiu told the court that the defendant apart from the goods she allegedly stole, also acted in a manner that is likely to cause a breach of the public peace, by defaming one Mr. Lateef Lawal and his wife.
He said that Friday allegedly defamed the complainant by sending out voice note messages via social media handles, calling Lawal and his wife ‘ritualists.’
According to the prosecutor, the offences committed contravened Sections 287 and 168 (d) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2015.
However, the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges against her.
Following the oral bail application argued by the defendant’s counsel, Magistrate Oyaniyi granted her bail in the sum of N500,000, with two responsible sureties in like sum.
Consequently, the magistrate remanded the defendant at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre, pending the perfection of her bail condition.
The case was adjourned till March 26, 2025 for mention.
PUNCH