Ebuka Obi Distances Himself from Ijele’s Continued Detention, Cites Separate Criminal Case
LAGOS, NIGERIA — The founder of Zion Prayer Movement Outreach, Evangelist Ebuka Obi, has officially denied allegations that he is responsible for the continued detention of controversial blogger Chizorom Ofoegbu, popularly known as “Ijele Speaks.”
Obi, through his media and legal representatives, addressed a press conference in Lagos on Saturday, firmly rejecting claims that the church or its spiritual leader played any role in obstructing Ofoegbu’s release after he was granted bail in mid-2024.
The blogger was arrested following a petition filed by Obi at the Federal High Court in Lagos, citing alleged threats to his life. While the court granted bail on June 14, 2024, the church explained that Ofoegbu initially failed to meet the conditions, prompting a formal application to vary the bail terms, which was subsequently approved.
Speaking on behalf of the church, Media and Public Relations Consultant Mr. Dan Aibangbe stated, “Our legal team has verified that Ofoegbu eventually met the revised bail conditions. As far as we are aware, there was no legal barrier to his release in the matter involving Evangelist Obi.”
However, at the resumption of proceedings on October 21, 2024, Ofoegbu’s legal counsel informed the court that the defendant remained in custody and had not been presented by prison authorities. Presiding judge, Justice Akintayo Aluko, subsequently requested clarification from the prosecution.
In response, prosecutors revealed that Ofoegbu was being held on the basis of an entirely separate criminal case, involving charges of defamation and cyberstalking brought against him by another religious figure, Victor Onukaogu, founder of Living Christ Mission, also known as Daddy Hezekiah. That matter is currently before a High Court in Awka, Anambra State.
“The current incarceration of Mr. Ofoegbu is unrelated to the complaint filed by Evangelist Obi,” the prosecutor informed the court.
Mr. Aibangbe emphasized that Evangelist Obi had merely acted within his constitutional rights by reporting a perceived threat to law enforcement. He stressed that the church had never opposed bail at any stage, nor was it involved in the administration of correctional custody.
“Our position is clear: this is not a matter of personal vendetta. Evangelist Obi has no authority over prison processes and has not influenced Mr. Ofoegbu’s continued detention,” Aibangbe said.
He added that the media narrative suggesting otherwise was “deliberate misinformation” and warned that the church is considering legal action against platforms and individuals disseminating false information.
“We urge the public to rely on verified court records and facts, not sensationalized accounts that undermine the integrity of judicial proceedings,” Aibangbe concluded.
The case between Evangelist Obi and Ofoegbu has been adjourned to October 21 and 22, 2024. Meanwhile, Ofoegbu’s fate regarding the separate allegations in Anambra remains subject to that court’s jurisdiction.
