Church members threaten nationwide protests, arguing the UK-based blogger remains a flight risk as her cyberstalking and defamation trial continues
Members of Omega Fire Ministries (OFM) across Nigeria’s 36 states have threatened to stage nationwide protests to oppose any move to release the international passport of Maureen Badejo, the United Kingdom-based blogger standing trial over allegations of cyberstalking and criminal defamation involving the church’s General Overseer, Apostle Johnson Suleman.
Also read: Apostle Suleman urges Islamic council to address insecurity roots, condemns attack on pastor Oritsejafor
The church members announced their position amid calls by a coalition of civil society organisations for the return of Badejo’s travel documents.
Her passport was seized as part of the bail conditions imposed by the court following her arrest and arraignment.
According to the group, retaining the passport is necessary to ensure that the defendant remains available to face trial and does not evade the jurisdiction of the Nigerian courts.
The Badejo passport case, they argued, extends beyond questions of personal liberty and centres on preserving the integrity of the judicial process.
Representatives of the church maintained that releasing the passport would create a significant flight risk because Badejo resides in the United Kingdom and could leave Nigeria before the conclusion of the proceedings.
They further argued that because the charges relate to alleged cyberstalking and criminal defamation, offences that involve online publications capable of crossing international borders, allowing the blogger to travel could complicate efforts to enforce court processes.
The church members also expressed concern that, if permitted to return abroad before the trial concludes, Badejo could allegedly continue publishing content that forms part of the dispute while remaining beyond the effective reach of Nigerian authorities.
According to the group, easing the travel restrictions could weaken public confidence in the administration of justice and set what they described as an undesirable precedent in cases involving alleged cyber-related offences.
They further contended that the proceedings involve allegations beyond defamation, claiming that the blogger’s online publications included threats directed at the leadership and members of Omega Fire Ministries.
The church members said these allegations heightened the seriousness of the matter and reinforced the need for the existing bail conditions to remain in force until the case is concluded.
“The court must prioritise judicial accountability over a suspect’s freedom of movement to prevent the trivialisation of criminal defamation laws,” representatives of the group said.
They added that relaxing travel restrictions for defendants with foreign residency could undermine the justice system’s ability to deter alleged online misconduct.
The latest development follows growing public attention surrounding the case after some civil society organisations reportedly urged the court to release Badejo’s passport, arguing that the continued seizure of the document was unjustified.
Badejo was arrested in February by operatives of the Force Criminal Investigation Department, Annex, Alagbon, Ikoyi, Lagos, following petitions alleging defamation and conspiracy to publish and transmit defamatory statements and videos through her YouTube and Facebook platforms against Apostle Johnson Suleman.
The criminal proceedings remain before the court, and no final determination has been made on the allegations against the blogger.
Under Nigerian law, all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.
As of the time of filing this report, neither Badejo nor her legal representatives had publicly responded to the latest threat of protests by members of Omega Fire Ministries.
Also read: Government of the few for few: Apostle Suleman knocks political class, laments failed security on Democracy Day
The court has yet to rule on any application relating to the release of her international passport.
Victory Emmanuel is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, business, and public affairs.
