Controversial Blogger, Kemi Olunloyo, Granted N1 Million Bail After 23 Days In Prison

Kemi Olunloyo, daughter of Omololu Olunloyo, former governor of Oyo state, has been granted bail by a federal high court sitting in Port Harcourt.

The blogger, who was arrested on March 14 by officers of the Oyo state criminal investigation department office, was granted bail in the sum of N1 million.

Olunloyo was arrested alongside a Port Harcourt-based publisher, Samuel Walson, for allegedly publishing materials believed to have defamed a cleric, David Ibiyeomie, pastor of Salvation ministries.

Following her arrest, Olunloyo took to her Instagram page to allege that she was moved to Port Harcourt from Ibadan on the orders of the inspector general of police.

Dear Media, friends, fans. I was driven by the NPF to Port Harcourt on orders of the IG. Pastor David Ibiyeomie says I criminally defamed him because I posted a letter his church member sent to me alleging corruption and adultery. Both newsmakers refused to answer the allegations but Ibiyeomie called me several times to threaten me with lawsuits, death from above and misfortune. Church spokesman did the same with Danielle Ogbeche of Daily Post too. I have been charged with a cybercrime along with a Rivers state journalist who simply syndicated my story. 500 blogs did. Cybercrime? in the Nigerian constitution and remanded in prison. Next week 23rd I appear in court again for a second bail attempt. I will be in this Port Harcourt prison till then. THE PEN IS MIGHTIER THAN THE SWORD. #Journalism is not a crime. I love you all. Pls trend #FreeKOO #FreeMadamHNN. @ludovicca_iacinno pls tell the world. Tweet it to the Toronto Sun’s @Joe_warmington. Pls every one let Joe know. I’m in high spirits. The NPF recommended NO bail. Police is never your friend in Nigeria. I will always be a proud international investigative journalist. I will not see my phone again for a week. Off to a Nigerian prison. Mass Comm students never give up. I don’t need my powerful connections. I want the law to run its course. GOD BLESS #FREETHESHEEPLE #KEMIOLUNLOYO

A post shared by HNNAFRICA (@hnnafrica) on Mar 16, 2017 at 6:56am PDT

“I was driven by the NPF to Port Harcourt on orders of the inspector general. Pastor David Ibiyeomie says I criminally defamed him because I posted a letter his church member sent to me alleging corruption and adultery,” she wrote.

“I have been charged with cybercrime along with a Rivers state journalist who simply syndicated my story. 500 blogs did. Cybercrime? in the Nigerian constitution and remanded in prison. Next week 23rd I appear in court again for a second bail attempt. I will be in this Port Harcourt prison till then.”

Walson and Olunloyo had earlier been granted a bail by a magistrate court before a prosecution team from the Rivers state police command took them away to a federal high court, where they were re-arraigned.

The charges against Walson were dropped leaving Olunloyo to continue the trial alone.

This article originally appeared on TheCable.