Court Grants Embattled Journalist Kemi Olunloyo N1 million Bail

A Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Tuesday, granted embattled controversial journalist, Kemi Omololu-Olunloyo, N1 million bail, according to Sahara Reporters.

Ruling over the case, the trial Judge, Justice H.I.O Shamah, said the court exercised discretionary power and, also, because the offence for which she was arraigned was bailable.

Justice Shamah also said the accused must produce a surety in like sum, adding that the surety must be resident in Port Harcourt metropolis and the person’s address must be verifiable.

According to unconfirmed sources, the surety would also sign an undertaking to ensure the accused person did not jump bail and would assure authorities they would bring her to court on adjourned dates, adding that Olunloyo must submit her international passport to the court and sign an undertaking never to influence the court proceedings and to appear in court any day the matter is adjourned.

”The surety should also be a civil servant not below level 12 and must submit his or her letter of employment and staff identity card,” he added.

The trial Judge stressed that the Court painstakingly perused and took into cognizance the arguments of the Prosecution and Defence Counsels, and arrived at conclusion that the charge, cyber crime, leveled against her was bailable.

Recall that Olunloyo was arrested in Ibadan, Oyo State and remanded in Port Harcourt prison for the past one month, for allegedly publishing a false adultery report (read here) about the General Overseer of Salvation Ministries, Pastor David Ibiyeomie.

The case was adjourned till May 3, 2017.