Nigeria – Abdulazeez Adegbola, also known as Tani Olohun, the Isese activist facing multiple defamation charges, did not appear in court on Tuesday, November 7, 2023. His counsel, Ademola Solesi, explained the reason for his client’s absence, stating that Adegbola refused to sign the court summons sent to him, as he wanted to first consult with his lawyer.
Solesi further clarified that Adegbola was served with the court summons, but he did not sign for it. Adegbola wanted to speak with his lawyer and requested a call to be made, but due to network issues, the call did not go through. He emphasized the concern regarding serving criminal summonses to someone who is already in detention.
Adegbola has faced multiple charges, including criminal conspiracy, public disturbance, disturbance of public peace, criminal defamation of character, and intentional insult. These charges stem from various incidents, including alleged defamation of character and the burning of a Quran, which led to a petition by an organization called Madrasat Muhammad.
The prosecuting counsel, U.S Imam, confirmed that Adegbola’s refusal to accept the new court summons resulted in his absence from the scheduled court hearing.
Adegbola’s case has garnered significant attention and controversy due to the religious and cultural dimensions surrounding the allegations against him. His legal proceedings continue to be a complex and sensitive matter in Nigeria.