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February 18, 2025
Odusola, 53, who is from the same local government as Governor Aiyedatiwa, was taken to court on Tuesday after he honoured a police invitation regarding his online criticism of the Ondo State government.
A Chief Magistrate's Court in Oke-Eda, Akure, has granted bail to Wale Omolegbon Odusola, a lawyer based in Ondo State, after he was arraigned for criticising the state governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
Odusola, 53, who is from the same local government as Governor Aiyedatiwa, was taken to court on Tuesday after he honoured a police invitation regarding his online criticism of the Ondo State government.
In the case, filed as Commissioner of Police vs. Wale Omolegbon Odusola, the prosecution allege that his statements amounted to cyberbullying.
Count I reads: "That you, Wale Omolegbon Odusola, on the 7th day of February 2025, at about 2:00 PM, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did cause emotional, verbal, and psychological abuse on the Governor of Ondo State, His Excellency, Honourable Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, by posting a video on your Facebook page accusing him of failing to address parochial matters and neglecting his constituency. You further insinuated that the Governor was engaged in an extramarital affair with the Finance Commissioner, Mrs. Wurmi Isaac, thereby exposing him to hatred and ridicule. You have thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 15(1)(2) of the Ondo State Hate Speech Law of Nigeria, 2021.”
Count II: "That you, Wale Omolegbon Odusola, on the same date, time, and place, within the aforementioned Magisterial District, did injure the reputation of the Governor of Ondo State, His Excellency, Honourable Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, by posting a video on your Facebook page accusing him of failing to address parochial matters and neglecting his constituency. You also insinuated that the Governor was engaged in an extramarital affair with his Finance Commissioner, Mrs. Wurmi Isaac, thereby exposing him to hatred, contempt, and ridicule. You have thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 373 of the Criminal Code, Cap 37, Vol. 1, Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2000.”
Count III: "That you, Wale Omolegbon Odusola, on the same date, time, and place, within the aforementioned Magisterial District, did circulate or publish a video on your Facebook page to the general public, accusing the Governor of Ondo State, His Excellency, Honourable Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, of failing to address parochial matters and neglecting his constituency. You also insinuated that the Governor was engaged in an extramarital affair with his Finance Commissioner, Mrs. Wunmi Isaac, with intent to cause enmity, insult, and expose him to hatred and ridicule by the general public. You have thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 24(a)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2015.”
However, Odusola was granted bail on self-recognizance, while the case was adjourned to May 5, 2025.
Meanwhile, human rights lawyer Tope Temokun condemned Odusola's arrest, stating that the character of the Ondo State governor is a matter of public interest.
He added that the governor must develop a thick skin—if he does not already have one—to handle harsh and unfriendly criticism from the people whose mandate he holds.
Temokun said, "This afternoon, in some twist as embarrassing as it is undesirable, the newly elected governor of Ondo State, Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has presented a complaint to the police for cyberbullying against a lawyer and his fellow Ilaje kinsman, Barrister Wale Omolegbon Odusola, who was brought before the Magistrate Court, Oke-Eda, Akure, this afternoon, for posting a video on his facebook page which the governor alleged defamed his character and reputation.
"While I will refrain from commenting on the substance of the charge in court, I will simply say that since the assumption of that exalted office of the governor of Ondo State, your character has become a public property and you must develop A thick skin if you don’t have one, for hot and unfriendly criticism from the people whose mandate you are holding.”
He said for a governor who was catapulted unexpectedly by fate to become a governor and who just got elected and awaiting inauguration to be so bothered about criticism from a citizen and quickly tooling up the law to stifle freedom of expression is misplaced priority.
Temokun emphasized that democracy must accommodate dissenting voices and that the business of governance is too serious for someone with no tangible achievements to be filing criminal complaints over a Facebook video. He described it as a petty approach to governance.
He said, "I hereby condemn this act of criminalization of criticism by the governor of Ondo State and advise immediately that the governor withdraw this criminal complaint and shift his focus on serious business of governance which should be his priority now and be more concerned about what legacy he is going to leave behind after his tenure expires. The time is very short and the time begins to run now.”
He stated that the governor must recognize he is fortunate to hold his position, as many others are equally qualified. Therefore, they will not remain silent simply because the person in power prefers to hear only praise.
"We are all stakeholders in the state and we will not leave the governor to run the business of the state by sheer wishes. We will put the governor on his toes every second for the task of good governance and for the good of our people," Temokun added.
SaharaReporters previously reported that the Ondo State government petitioned the Nigerian police to arrest Wale Omolegbon Odusola, a lawyer based in Ondo, due to his criticism of the state's alleged marginalization of the Ilaje, Ikale, and other Ondo communities.
Odusola, on his Facebook page, accused the state government of planning to introduce a cyberstalking law aimed at silencing critics on social media. He claimed that Ondo State Attorney General Olukayode Ajulo recently convened a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting where the proposal was discussed.
He further alleged that the Ondo State government intends to arrest Facebook critics and charge them in court.
Odusola accused Governor Aiyedatiwa's administration of attempting to stifle free speech, comparing the move to federal cyber laws often used to suppress dissent.
Odusola also compared the current administration to that of former Governor Olusegun Mimiko, noting that Mimiko tolerated criticism and used feedback to improve governance. According to him, Mimiko listened to and read what critics said, which motivated him to perform better to impress the people.
Referencing the 2024 budget, Odusola argued that the Ilaje and Ikale communities had been neglected in state infrastructure projects. He pointed out that Owo received 12 projects worth approximately ₦3 billion, while Ilaje was allocated only one road project valued at ₦100 million.
In Okitipupa, three road projects were approved with a total cost of ₦390 million.
He emphasized that the state government wants to silence them, but they have the right to express their concerns.
“Marginalisation is real, and calling it out is not a crime,” Odusola said.
He insisted that the government must address the concerns of marginalised communities rather than attempt to suppress their voices.
“We will not be silenced,” he vowed.
Odusola said, "I have no intention of fighting with the Ondo State Governor, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, but as someone from Ilaje and Ikale, I need to express my concerns. Since I do not have direct access to him, I am using Facebook to share my views, hoping they will reach him.”