The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Kwara State has invited and detained a popular blogger, Abdulsamad Oloyin, widely known as Yolo, over alleged defamation against a businesswoman, Wahab Ramat.
Oloyin, who runs the Facebook page Awoko Kwara, was picked up on Thursday at the NSCDC state headquarters following a petition filed by Ramat.
She accused him of posting content that portrayed her as an informant to bandits, claiming it had damaged her reputation, strained her marriage, and cost her customers.
A senior NSCDC officer told SaharaReporters that Ramat demanded N5 million in damages and insisted Oloyin record a video apology, threatening court action if he refused.
According to the officer, Ramat alleged that the information posted by Oloyin on Awoko Kwara portrayed her as an informant to bandits.
“The businesswoman said the post caused a serious misunderstanding between her and her husband and led to the loss of many customers,” the officer said.
“She said if Oloyin did not want her to take him to court, he must record a video apologising to her and pay N5 million as compensation,” the officer said.
The officer, however, added that Ramat later reduced the demand to N1 million as of the previous day.
Meanwhile, a family source narrated that, contrary to speculation, Oloyin was not arrested at the orders of Yinka Aluko, the representative of Ilorin East/South Federal Constituency in the 10th House of Representatives.
According to the source, it was a government aide, who linked Aluko to Oloyin’s arrest.
Reacting to the allegations that Hon. Yinka Aluko, the representative of Ilorin East/South Federal Constituency in the 10th Federal House of Representatives, ordered Yolo’s arrest, the lawmaker’s legislative aide, Galadima Abdullahi, denied the claims.
Speaking to SaharaReporters on Saturday, Mohammed said the lawmaker had no involvement in Yolo’s arrest and had nothing to gain from it.
Aluko said he was shocked to learn that Yolo had been arrested for defamation, noting that Yolo is one of his staff members who receives a salary.
“Yolo is one of our staff members on the payroll. I’m shocked that he could be involved in such a matter. I was surprised when I was briefed about the issue,” Aluko said.
SaharaReporter
