Woman arraigned for alleged defamation of actress Lizzy Anjorin

A 37-year-old woman, Akanji Kofoworola, has been arraigned before a Chief Magistrate’s Court in Lagos for allegedly publishing and distributing defamatory and obscene content about popular Nollywood actress and businesswoman, Lizzy Anjorin, via her Facebook account.

Kofoworola was brought before Magistrate Wahab Balogun by the Zone 2 Police Command, Onikan, Lagos. 

She is facing a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, publication of fake news, and defamation of Lizzy Anjorin. 

The prosecutor, ASP Haruna Ibrahim, told the court that the defendant, alongside other unnamed bloggers now at large, committed the alleged offences within Lagos State from 2023 to the present.

According to the charges, Kofoworola is accused of unlawfully publishing false statements and rumours about Anjorin on Facebook, knowing or having reason to believe that the information was false. 

She is also alleged to have used the platform to project the actress in a derogatory manner and to have distributed content considered obscene, with the intention of corrupting public perception of the actress.

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The prosecutor stated that the actions contravene Sections 39, 57, and 150 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015, and are punishable under the same laws.

The charges read in part: “That you, Akanji Kofoworola ‘F’, and other bloggers at large, from 2023 till date, within Lagos State, did unlawfully publish false statements and rumours about Chief Mrs Lizzy Anjorin on Facebook, knowing same to be false, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 39 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2015.”

Another charge accused the defendant of using Anjorin’s image in a manner likely to provoke disaffection among the public, while a third alleged she distributed content deemed obscene and damaging to Anjorin’s character to gain social media popularity and financial benefits.

But Kofoworola pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Following her plea, the prosecutor urged the court to remand her in custody pending the determination of the case. 

However, her lawyer applied orally for bail, arguing that the charges were bailable.

Magistrate Balogun granted the defendant bail in the sum of N100,000, with two sureties in like sum. 

The sureties, according to the court, must meet specific conditions set by the court.

The case has been adjourned to August 21 for the commencement of the trial.

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE