Court dismisses cybercrime case against Nigerian doctor who accused UK-based ex-lover of rape

A federal high court in Abuja has dismissed a case brought against Bolanle Aseyan, a medical doctor accused of cybercrime and cyberbullying. 

The office of the inspector-general of police (IGP) had filed a four-count charge against Aseyan for allegedly harassing and intimidating Olufunmilayo Ogunsanya, a UK-based medical doctor popularly known as @OurFavOnlineDoc on X.

In June 2020, Aseyan had, in a flurry of tweets, accused Ogunsanya of abusing her sexually and emotionally over the course of their one-year relationship.

Ogunsanya had, however, dismissed her claims, explaining that they only had sex under the influence of alcohol at the time they were cohabiting.

He had also threatened legal action against Aseyan and demanded £10,000 (about N4.8 million) for the damages her allegations had caused him.

In a charge filed in Nigeria, the police accused Aseyan of causing harm to the reputation of her ex-lover on social media, contrary to the provisions of the Cyberbullying Prevention and Prohibition Act.

During the trial, the police called three witnesses, while the female doctor called two witnesses.

However, in a judgment delivered on Friday, Peter Lifu, presiding judge, held that the ingredients of the charges against the defendant were not provided by the police as required by law.

The judge stated that evidence of threats and intimidation was not presented to the court, adding that there was evidence of a love relationship between both parties before the altercations and hostilities.‎

‎The court also noted that both parties made reciprocal social media posts after their breakup. 

‎The judge further said the prosecution failed to tender key evidence, including the defendant’s social media handle, and did not prove threats or intimidation as required by law. Consequently, all four charges against Aseyan were dismissed.

The judge ordered that seized properties, including the international passport of the defendant, must be returned to her forthwith by the police upon being served with the judgment.