MICHAEL AKINOLA
The Lagos State Command of the Nigerian Police have arraigned a popular TikToker Oladimeji Hammed, known online as Immunizer, at an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court over allegations of cyberbullying and online harassment of Mrs. Omowunmi Cynthia Aloba, widow of late singer Ilerioluwa Aloba, also known as Mohbad.
The 27-year-old defendant was brought before the court following a petition filed against him by Omowunmi.
Hammed was arraigned on a six-count charge alleging that he used social media platforms to publish harmful, insulting, and provocative content targeting the widow.
According to the prosecution, the alleged offences began on February 8, when Hammed posted a claim that Omowunmi was planning to flee Nigeria before justice was served in her husband’s death, attaching her passport photograph to the post.
The prosecution team told the court that on February 11, the TikToker allegedly published content suggesting that during court proceedings, the 26-year-old widow had failed to deny allegations of infidelity while married to the singer.
Eight days later, on February 19, the defendant also allegedly shared material claiming that private content belonging to the singer’s widow had been leaked online.
The prosecutors also alleged that on March 14, the defendant published a video containing derogatory remarks and accusations against Omowunmi, suggesting she was involved in a hidden agenda relating to her late husband’s affairs.
Prosecution’s allegations
Police prosecutors told the court that between February 8 and March 14, Hammed consistently disseminated insulting, abusive, and provocative materials against Wunmi, exposing her to public ridicule, hatred, online trolling, and physical threats.
The prosecution further alleged that the sustained online attacks contributed to an incident on March 15 when Omowunmi was publicly confronted and nearly physically attacked by members of the public.
In the final count, Hammed is accused of publishing nude images and other harmful content allegedly intended to humiliate, intimidate, and bully the widow.
The case highlights the intense scrutiny and online harassment that have continued to trail Omowunmi since Mohbad’s death on September 12, 2023.
Mohbad’s death triggered nationwide outrage and widespread demands for justice, leading to extensive investigations by law enforcement authorities.
The investigations eventually resulted in criminal charges against one auxiliary nurse Feyisayo Ogedengbe and Mohbad’s associate, Ayobami Sadiq, popularly known as Spending.
Both defendants are currently standing trial over allegations of reckless and negligent acts linked to the circumstances surrounding the singer’s death.
Plea and bail conditions
Hammed pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The court admitted him to bail on conditions that include two sureties, each required to provide evidence of a bank balance of at least N700,000.
One of the sureties must be a serving state civil servant, while the other must be a blood relative. Both are also required to provide proof of up-to-date tax compliance.
The matter was adjourned for further hearing.
However, as of the time of filing this report, Hammed had yet to fulfill his bail conditions and was remanded at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre.
