Temper justice with compassion on Owolemi, Ondo community tells Tunji-Ojo

Community leaders from Ilaje-Omuro in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State have appealed to the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, to temper justice with compassion in the case involving a social crusader, Emorioloye Owolemi, who is currently facing trial over alleged cyberstalking against the minister.

The appeal came weeks after the Federal Government arraigned Owolemi before the Akure Division of the Federal High Court on a two-count charge, bordering on alleged cyberstalking and offensive online communications, following online posts he allegedly made criticising the minister and raising questions about his credentials.

The charges, marked FHC/AK/3C/26, allege that the defendant used his Facebook account to post statements considered offensive and menacing against the minister, an act prosecutors say contravenes provisions of the Cybercrimes Act. According to court documents, Owolemi allegedly sent the messages on December 23, 2025, from Igbokoda in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.

The case, which has drawn public attention within the coastal communities of the State, is expected to resume for hearing on March 26 at the Federal High Court in Akure.

Amid the controversy surrounding the prosecution, leaders of the Ilaje-Omuro community stepped in, writing to the minister to plead for understanding and reconciliation over the actions of their kinsman.

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In a letter signed by the Chairman of the community, Babatunde Omobone, the leaders commended Tunji-Ojo’s stewardship in the Interior Ministry as commendable and worthy of recognition and appealed for clemency on behalf of the activist.

“We write to express our deepest appreciation for your tireless service to our nation and humanity. Your dedication to the Ministry of Interior is truly commendable, and we are grateful for your efforts to improve the lives of Nigerians,” the letter read.

However, the community leaders acknowledged that the conduct of Owolemi had caused embarrassment and tension, prompting them to intervene in the matter, saying: “We are compelled to bring to your attention a matter of concern regarding the conduct of Owolemi Emorioloye, a member of our community who had offended you.”

The leaders, who admitted that the activist’s actions were inappropriate and had reflected poorly on both the minister and his office, said “We apologise for his attitude and actions which have caused embarrassment to you and which we believe reflected poorly on your ministry”.

While acknowledging the seriousness of the situation, the community urged the minister to consider forgiveness, noting that the activist may have acted out of inexperience and a lack of full understanding of the consequences of his conduct.

“We humbly seek your understanding, forgiveness and compassion in this matter. We acknowledge that Mr. Emorioloye’s actions were unacceptable,” the community said.

They further described the incident as a lesson for the activist and expressed hope that the experience would serve as a turning point in his conduct.

“We attribute his behaviour to naivety and a lack of understanding of the gravity of his actions. We believe he has learned a valuable lesson from this experience and is truly remorseful for his mistakes,” the letter stated.

The community therefore urged the minister to reconsider any disciplinary consequences that may arise from the case. “In light of this, we respectfully plead for forgiveness and reconsideration of any disciplinary actions against him,” the leaders said.

They also pledged that the community would take responsibility for guiding the activist and ensuring that such incidents do not recur.

Earlier, the activist had approached the court seeking an inquiry into the academic qualifications of Tunji-Ojo, a move that added another layer of controversy to the dispute.

A civil society organisation, Concerned Citizens Leadership Integrity and Transparency Advocacy Initiative, CLITA, had criticised the legal action, noting that, “What this step by Olubunmi Tunji Ojo has shown is that he’s not learning anything from President Bola Tinubu who has accepted constructive criticism as part of recipe for good governance,” the group said in a statement.

Despite the growing debate around the case, the community leaders say their intervention is aimed at restoring harmony and preventing further escalation of tensions between the minister and his kinsman.