There was a mild drama at the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, as a suspect begged to retake his plea after pleading guilty to the two-count charge.
The suspect, Adun Adewale, aka ‘Coachbanter’, was arraigned before Justice Emeka Nwite on an alleged cybercrime offence against IGP Kayode Egbetokun.
Mr Egbetokun, in the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/634/2024, sued Mr Adewale as the sole defendant.
In the charge filed on December 17 by A.A. Egwu, the defendant was alleged to have, sometime in 2024, shared a video recording via Tiktok (username @brodabanter_backup_page and handle CoachBanter).
In the video, Mr Adewale was alleged to have said, “Police IG Egbetokun busted for colluding with notorious cartel moving cash from CBN (Central Bank of Nigeria) vault via Abuja, Lagos airport.”
The charge sheet said the statement was made “for the purpose of causing a breakdown of law and order,” an offence “contrary to and punishable under Section 24 (1) (b) of Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024.”
In count two, he was also alleged to have sent a video through his Tiktok username accusing Mr Egbetokun of victimising police officers to shield members of a cartel notorious for hauling suspicious new banknotes from the CBN.
The statement, which the charge sheet claimed to be false, was contrary to and punishable under Section 24 (1) (b) of Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024.
Upon resumed hearing, the police chief’s counsel, Victor Okoye, told the court that the matter was slated for the defendant’s arraignment and that he was ready to proceed.
After count one was read to Adewale, he pleaded guilty. When the registrar read count two, the defendant said, “I pleaded guilty with reason.”
“What is the reason?” the judge asked.
Mr Adewale explained from the dock that he saw the post somewhere and forwarded it to his page. Therefore, his lawyer, O.A. Olaleye, asked the court for a stand down to confer with his client.
Although Mr Okoye opposed the application, the judge stood down the matter in the interest of justice.
After the court reconvened, Mr Adewale’s lawyer told the court that he had a discussion with his client, and Mr Adewale told him that he (the defendant) did not understand the charge read to him.
Based on this premise, the lawyer urged the court for the charge to be read again so that his client could take his plea.
But Mr Okoye opposed the application.
He argued that before Mr Adewale took his plea, he was asked if he understood English and responded in the affirmative.
The prosecutor said besides, the defendant was represented by a lawyer. He said the law is clear that when a defendant understands the charge read to him, it does not behove on the lawyer to persuade the defendant to change his plea.
The judge adjourned the matter until December 30 for the parties to address the court on the position of law in such an instance. (NAN)