Maureen Badejo vs. Daniel Olukoya: Sowore Accuses Police of Collusion

Africa, Politics

LAGOS, NIGERIA: Nigerian human rights activist and #RevolutionNow convener, Omoyele Sowore, has accused the police of colluding with Dr Daniel Olukoya, founder and General Overseer of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM), in the detention and trial of UK-based blogger Maureen Badejo.

In a post on his verified Facebook page, Sowore described Badejo’s continued detention and delays in bail processing as “persecution, abuse of office, and a coordinated scheme between the police and a powerful General Overseer to unlawfully silence her.” He alleged that police officials had sought a 14-day detention warrant, despite the charges being outside the jurisdiction of a magistrate’s court, and accused them of employing the controversial “holding charge” tactic to prolong her custody.

Sowore further claimed that while a magistrate granted Badejo bail, police manoeuvred to shift proceedings to the Federal High Court, where the case was assigned to Justice Aluko but stalled due to bureaucratic delays.

The broader case stems from allegations of defamation against Badejo, who was found liable by the UK High Court in 2021 and ordered to pay £100,000 in damages to Olukoya and his wife. Her appeal was dismissed in 2026. In Nigeria, she faces parallel proceedings, where she was granted bail of ₦10 million.

The controversy underscores growing concerns about freedom of expression, judicial integrity, and the use of defamation laws by powerful figures to protect reputations.