By Paul Joseph
Nigerian politician, human rights advocate, and founder of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, has provided updates regarding a UK-based Nigerian blogger who was apprehended by Nigerian police in Lagos on Friday.
Sowore condemned the arrest as unlawful and an attempt to undermine religious harmony for personal benefit.
He engaged with the police officer responsible for the arrest and detention, denouncing the recent apprehension of Maureen Badejo by the Nigeria Police Force in Lagos for alleged “criminal defamation” against Pastor D.K. Olukoya.
He characterized the arrest and subsequent detention as manipulative and illegal, calling it a notorious tactic designed to obstruct bail, prolong detention, and punish citizens without due process.
In a phone conversation with the Assistant Director of Cybercrime in the Adekunle area of Lagos, Sowore learned that Maureen was arrested following a petition from a General Overseer.
The police officer claimed that a petition had been filed since 2022 and attempted to justify her arrest by alleging she had “criminally defamed” a pastor. After questioning the officer, Sowore pointed out, “I informed him that there is no law in Lagos State known as ‘criminal defamation.’”
The officer then altered his explanation, stating that she would be charged under the Cybercrime Act. When Sowore inquired about the specific section of the Act, the officer could not provide an answer.
Sowore further described the arrest as a blatant abuse of power and an unlawful exercise of police authority to settle private religious disputes. He noted that during the call, the police officer abruptly ended the conversation and has since ignored further attempts to contact him.
Maureen Badejo was arrested by Nigeria Police operatives following petitions reportedly filed against her by prominent Christian leaders.
On Friday, detectives from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) took her into custody in Lagos, where she was interrogated at the police Cybercrime Unit in the Adekunle area of Yaba.
According to information obtained by SaharaReporters, Badejo’s arrest was prompted by petitions submitted to the police by Apostle Johnson Suleiman, General Overseer of Omega Fire Ministries, and Dr. Daniel Olukoya, General Overseer of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM).
Badejo is also reportedly investigating Pastor Daniel K. Olukoya, who is allegedly behind her arrest and intended detention.
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