Ilaje-Omuro leaders urge Interior Minister Tunji-Ojo to forgive activist facing cyberstalking charges over Facebook posts questioning his credentials.
Community leaders from Ilaje-Omuro in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State have appealed to the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, to show compassion in the case involving an activist, Emorioloye Owolemi, who is currently facing trial for alleged cyberstalking.
The appeal follows the arraignment of Owolemi before the Federal High Court in Akure on a two-count charge bordering on alleged cyberstalking and offensive online communications.
The charges, marked FHC/AK/3C/26, stem from Facebook posts the activist allegedly made criticising the minister and questioning his academic credentials.
According to prosecutors, the posts—allegedly sent on December 23, 2025, from Igbokoda in Ilaje Local Government Area—contained statements considered offensive and menacing, in violation of provisions of the Cybercrimes Act.
The case, which has generated considerable attention in coastal communities of Ondo State, is scheduled to resume on March 26 at the Federal High Court in Akure.
Amid the controversy, leaders of the Ilaje-Omuro community wrote to the minister appealing for reconciliation and understanding on behalf of the activist.
In a letter signed by the Chairman of the community, Babatunde Omobone, the leaders praised Tunji-Ojo’s performance in office and appealed for clemency.
“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,” the letter stated.
The community leaders, however, acknowledged that Owolemi’s conduct had caused embarrassment and tension.
“We are compelled to bring to your attention a matter of concern regarding the conduct of Mr. Owolemi Emorioloye, a member of our community who had offended you,” the letter said.
They apologised for the activist’s actions, noting that the behaviour reflected poorly on both the minister and his office.
“We apologise for his attitude and actions which have caused embarrassment to you and which we believe reflected poorly on your ministry,” the community leaders added.
While acknowledging the seriousness of the allegations, they urged the minister to consider forgiveness, suggesting that the activist may have acted out of inexperience.
“We humbly seek your understanding, forgiveness and compassion in this matter. We acknowledge that Mr. Emorioloye’s actions were unacceptable,” they said.
The community leaders expressed hope that the incident would serve as a lesson for the activist and pledged to guide him going forward.
“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,” the letter noted.
They therefore urged the minister to reconsider any disciplinary consequences arising from the case.
“In light of this, we respectfully plead for forgiveness and reconsideration of any disciplinary actions against him,” they said.
The leaders also promised that the community would take responsibility for ensuring such incidents do not recur.
Earlier, the activist had approached the court seeking an inquiry into the academic qualifications of the minister, adding another layer of controversy to the dispute.
Meanwhile, a civil society organisation, Concerned Citizens Leadership Integrity and Transparency Advocacy Initiative (CLITA), criticised the legal action, saying public officials should be open to criticism.
Despite the growing debate surrounding the case, community leaders said their intervention was aimed at restoring harmony and preventing further escalation of tensions between the minister and the activist.