Ekiti judge withdraws bail for APC gubernatorial hopeful embroiled in alleged online harassment and extortion scandal

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An Ekiti State Chief Magistrate Court, Ado Ekiti, on Tuesday, revoked the bail earlier granted to an All Progressives Congress governorship aspirant in the state, Abimbola Olawumi.

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Olawumi was arraigned in court by the police on July 23 in a matter over alleged blackmail, cyberbullying and death threats against the Chief Executive Officer of agro-allied company, YSJ Limited, Yemisi Joluwe; and others.

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She had during the arraignment pleaded not guilty to the four-count charge preferred against her.

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Olawumi, through her counsel, Odunayo Okunade, requested bail on self-recognition, which the court granted and adjourned the matter till July 28.

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However, when the matter came up on Tuesday, her counsel, Okunade, apologised to the court over the defendant’s absence, saying that she was unable to attend the proceedings due to health challenges.

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But the Police Prosecutor, Samson Osobu, opposed the defence’s explanation, insisting that the defendant’s absence was unjustifiable.

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Osobu said, “Despite claiming to be ill, Olawumi was active on social media on July 26 and 27, where she reportedly continued to abuse, curse, threaten, bully and terrorise the complainant as well as other prominent personalities in Ekiti State.

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“The defendant’s conduct amounted to a gross abuse of the bail earlier granted by the court”, he said, urging the court to revoke her bail and issue a bench warrant for her arrest.

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In his ruling, Chief Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun expressed displeasure over the defendant’s failure to appear in court.

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The Chief Magistrate stated that the court was disappointed that Olawumi failed to honour its proceedings despite being admitted to bail, saying, “Parties granted bail are expected to comply strictly with the conditions attached to it”.

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Consequently, Adeosun revoked the bail earlier granted to her and issued a bench warrant.

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He consequently adjourned the case to 17th August, 2026 for further hearing.

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