Police Re-arrest Former MFM Chorister Over Libel Allegations Against Church Founder, Olukoya

Global News Reports The Nigerian Police have once again apprehended Ayotunde Richard, a gospel singer and former member of the Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries (MFM), following a petition from Davidson Adejuwon, a lawyer purportedly associated with the church founder, Dr. Daniel Olukoya.

The lawyer has levied accusations against Ayotunde Richard and others, alleging various acts of cyberbullying and libel against Olukoya.

Davidson filed the petition in his capacity as legal counsel for Mrs. Sanni, an associate of Olukoya reportedly tasked with managing the cleric’s social media affairs.

It’s worth noting that the petition was not directly filed on behalf of Olukoya.

Previously, Ayotunde Richard initiated legal action against the General Overseer of the church, Pastor Olukoya, citing an alleged violation of his fundamental human rights.

Additional respondents named in the case include Davison Olaniran Adejuwon Esq; Superintendent of Police Tawose Ayoleyi Ajayi, and the Nigeria Police Force.

Olukoya, Davidson, Ajayi, and the Nigeria Police Force are designated as the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Respondents respectively.

Ayotunde, formerly the leader of the cleric’s backing vocalists, claimed that Olukoya had detained him at the Federal Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), Alagbon, Ikoyi, for eight days.

He described his detention by the police as unlawful, oppressive, and a blatant abuse of power.

According to Ayotunde, his mobile phones were confiscated and handed over to Olukoya to identify individuals considered adversaries of the church.

He alleges that Olukoya utilized his influence to orchestrate his detention in collaboration with Superintendent Ayoleyi Tawose Ajayi, purportedly a member of MFM and a close confidant of the cleric.

Ayotunde also implicated Davidson Adejuwon, legal counsel to Olukoya, in the lawsuit, accusing him of playing a pivotal role in scrutinizing his mobile devices and deeming his detention in July 2023 at FCID as outrageous.

Ayotunde seeks judicial intervention to compel the Respondent to issue an unconditional apology for violating his Right to Privacy.

However, a contingent of police officers from the Lagos State Police Command headquarters reportedly descended upon Richard’s residence on Monday, March 4, disrupting the administration of justice.

Richard’s legal representative, Adeshina Ogunlana, revealed via his social media platform on Saturday that the police action was based on a petition authored by an aide to Olukoya, implicating Richard and others in various cyberbullying and libelous activities.

Ogunlana recounted the encounter, stating, “The police encountered Richards at his residence, identifying themselves as officers from the Lagos State Commissioner of Police Special Squad. While they were able to locate him, they were unable to gain access as his doors were secured.”

He continued, “Although they were not visibly armed and not attired in uniform, they informed him of the need for his presence at their office due to a petition lodged against him. Despite Richard’s requests for the petition, a formal letter of invitation, and a warrant of arrest, the police failed to produce any documentation.”

“In a state of distress, Richard promptly contacted his legal counsel for assistance and intervention, recalling his previous ordeal when the police attempted to arrest him at his residence.”

Ogunlana advised Richard not to resist the police and instead cooperate fully. Subsequently, a resolution was reached with the head of the Special Squad to withdraw the officers from Richard’s residence.

The following day, March 5, 2024, Richard accompanied Ogunlana to the police station, where he responded to the petition submitted by Davidson Adejuwon.

Richard vehemently denied any association with an individual named Adewale Ajimosogbe, who purportedly republished a story regarding Richard’s 16-billion-naira fundamental human rights case against MFM, Davidson Adejuwon, and the Nigeria Police, with an added defamatory assertion against Olukoya.

The police summoned Ajimosogbe, who disavowed any connection to Richard and claimed sole responsibility for the publication, citing traffic generation as his motive.

Upon presenting Richard’s statement to the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, and after a brief deliberation, Richard was released with instructions to return at a later date.

A source informed SaharaReporters that Richard was subsequently detained on Thursday, despite assurances from the judge overseeing the case that he should not be apprehended.

The source disclosed, “Upon Richard’s arrival at the station, he was detained, with additional evidence presented by Olukoya’s legal counsel. Despite efforts by Ogunlana to secure his release, the police insisted on his detention, citing instructions from higher authorities.”

“At present, there is no court order authorizing his confinement in police custody,” the source concluded.

When contacted for comment, Benjamin Hundeyin, spokesperson for the State police command, affirmed Richard’s detention and stated their intent to arraign him in court.

He clarified, “We possess a duly issued demand warrant from the court authorizing his detention pending arraignment. There is an ongoing case at Alagbon involving him, and the court directive pertains specifically to that case.”

“We have not received any court order restraining us from proceeding with this particular case. Our course of action is to present him in court,” he added.