UK-based Nigerian blogger Maureen Badejo granted N50m bail in alleged defamation of Apostle Suleman, Osagie
By Onyewuchi Ojinnaka
Justice Akintayo Aluko of the Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday granted bail to Unite Kingdom-based Nigerian blogger Maureen Badejo in the sum of N50 million with two sureties in like sum.
In his ruling on the bail application, Justice Aluko ordered that one surety must be a civil servant in the service of the Federal or Lagos State government, not below Grade Level 14, while the other must be a landed property owner within the court’s jurisdiction. One of the sureties must be a relation to the defendant, and both must swear to an affidavit of means.
The sureties are also required to provide evidence of three years’ tax clearance, proof of residence in Lagos with Lagos State Residents Registration Agency (LASRRA) registration, and National Identification Numbers.
The defendant must submit her international passport and other travel documents to the court for verification by the registrar. She was further ordered to write a letter of undertaking not to publish or cause to be published any material relating to the case during its pendency.
Badejo is to remain in custody at the Nigerian Correctional Service facility until her bail conditions are perfected.
The blogger was arraigned last week before Justice Aluko on charges of conspiracy and defamation, filed by the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex, Alagbon-Ikoyi, Lagos. She pleaded not guilty to the 11-count charge and was remanded in custody on March 6, 2026, pending the bail ruling.
According to the charge sheet, Badejo and others now at large allegedly committed the offences around November 2021. They are accused of conspiring to publish and transmit defamatory statements and videos via her YouTube channel and Facebook platforms against the General Overseer of Omega Fire Ministries International, Apostle Johnson Suleman, and one Dickson Osagie.
She is further alleged to have falsely portrayed Apostle Suleman as a cultist, rapist, assassin, ritualist, and other criminal designations, placing both men in fear of death or bodily harm through the publications.
The charges are preferred under Sections 376, 408(1), and 516 of the Criminal Code Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, as well as Sections 24(1)(b) and 24(2)(a) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015. Cyberbullying under the Cybercrimes Act is punishable by up to 10 years’ imprisonment and/or a minimum fine of N25 million.
Lead defence counsel Dr. Yinka Owoeye urged the court to grant bail, citing the presumption of innocence, the bailable nature of the offences, and assurances that Badejo would attend trial.
The police prosecutor opposed the application, describing the defendant as a flight risk who had been on an INTERPOL watchlist for years.
Justice Aluko granted bail, stating it was in the interest of justice under Section 162 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, as the defendant had satisfied the statutory conditions.
The court also granted a defence prayer for the police to return Badejo’s seized personal items, including bank and credit cards, jewellery, and designer bags.
Further hearing is adjourned to June 1, 2026.
