Ekiti court revokes bail against APC gov aspirant in alleged blackmail, cyberbullying case

A Chief Magistrate Court in Ado Ekiti has revoked the bail granted to Abimbola Olawumi, a governorship aspirant for the All Progressives Congress in Ekiti State. The decision came after Olawumi failed to appear for a court hearing on Tuesday.

Olawumi was previously arraigned on July 23 on four counts of alleged blackmail, cyberbullying, and death threats directed at the Chief Executive Officer of YSJ Limited, Yemisi Joluwe, and other individuals. She had pleaded not guilty to the charges and was initially granted bail on self-recognition by the court, with the case adjourned.

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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. The defendant’s conduct amounted to a gross abuse of the bail earlier granted by the court.

During Tuesday's proceedings, Olawumi's counsel apologized for her absence, citing health challenges. However, the Police Prosecutor, Samson Osobu, opposed this explanation. Osobu presented evidence that Olawumi had been active on social media on July 26 and 27, allegedly continuing her online harassment of the complainant and other prominent figures in Ekiti State.

Chief Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun expressed disappointment over Olawumi's failure to attend court, emphasizing that individuals granted bail are expected to adhere strictly to its conditions. Citing her alleged continued online activities as a gross abuse of the bail terms, the court revoked her bail and issued a bench warrant for her arrest. The case has been adjourned to August 17, 2026, for further hearing.

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Parties granted bail are expected to comply strictly with the conditions attached to it.