A Lagos court on Tuesday ordered the immediate remand of a man identified as Kayode Samuel Jolaoso, who was caught secretly recording UK-based Nigerian blogger Maureen Badejo during court proceedings.
The individual, believed to be affiliated with the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM), was sentenced to 10 days at Kirikiri Correctional Centre for contempt of court due to his alleged video recordings in the courtroom while Badejo was on trial for bail.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Magistrates’ Court granted Badejo bail in the sum of ₦10 million, with a surety acceptable to the court, following her recent detention by the Nigerian police over petitions reportedly filed by Apostle Johnson Suleman of Omega Fire Ministries and Pastor Daniel Olukoya of MFM.
Badejo’s legal team, led by Yinka Owoeye and including four other lawyers, was present throughout the proceedings.
According to eyewitness accounts, Jolaoso had been a conspicuous presence in the case in recent days and was reportedly seen outside a police station the day before, raising questions about his role. When confronted at the time, a female police officer allegedly stated that he was a police officer, a claim that only intensified suspicions among observers.
During Tuesday’s court session, Jolaoso was seen filming Badejo inside the courtroom for approximately 20 minutes, an action strictly prohibited under court rules.
His behaviour captured the attention of others present in the courtroom, leading to a confrontation that was noticed by the presiding magistrate.
When questioned by the court, Jolaoso denied recording anything. The magistrate subsequently ordered that his mobile phone be produced for inspection and inquired if anyone present possessed sufficient technical knowledge to examine the device. A family member of Badejo reportedly volunteered for the task.
During the inspection, a 20-minute video recording was discovered in the phone’s ‘recently deleted’ folder, indicating it had been erased shortly beforehand. This revelation directly contradicted Jolaoso’s claims of innocence.
The court immediately found him guilty of contempt and mandated his remand at Kirikiri Correctional Centre for 10 days, directing that he be returned to court upon the completion of his sentence.
Court sources further disclosed that while the phone was being examined, repeated calls were received on the device from an individual described as a pastor, allegedly attempting to obtain updates, unaware that Jolaoso was already in custody.
Starnews NG had earlier reported that Badejo secured her bail at a Magistrate Court in Lagos, after refusing to settle out of court. She was detained following her voluntary return to Nigeria on Friday, where she responded to an alleged summons by Interpol regarding an unresolved issue with Apostle Johnson Suleman, the Senior Pastor of Omega Fire Ministries.
Upon her arrival, she was reportedly transferred to the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) and then to the Alagbon detention facility, following an alleged petition initiated by Pastor Daniel Olukoya of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries.
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