A judge of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, Justice Akintayo Aluko, has granted bail in the sum of ₦50 million to United Kingdom-based Nigerian blogger and activist Maureen Omorinola Badejo, who is facing charges of alleged cyberstalking and defamation.
The court ordered that Badejo provide two sureties as part of the bail conditions. One of the sureties must be a relative, while the other must be a Level 14 officer in a government ministry. Both sureties are also required to own property within Lagos State and present valid identification, including their National Identification Number (NIN).
Justice Aluko further directed the defendant to deposit her international passport with the court, while ordering the release of her personal belongings. The case was subsequently adjourned to June 1, 2026, for further proceedings.
Badejo had earlier been remanded at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre following her arraignment by the Nigeria Police Force on multiple counts of alleged cyberstalking and defamation.
According to the charge sheet, the allegations stem from podcasts published on her GIO TV Media platform, where she allegedly made defamatory claims against Ajose Sola, a cleric of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries located in the Igando area of Lagos.
Police alleged that the blogger used a Facebook account to publish statements they described as false and capable of causing public unrest. The offences were said to contravene Section 24(1)(b) and are punishable under Section 24(2)(ii) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition Prevention etc) Act as amended in 2024.
Meanwhile, some civil society groups, including members of the Campaign for Democracy and Human Rights, had earlier called for Badejo’s release, describing her detention as an attempt to silence dissenting voices. They urged the judiciary to ensure that the case is handled in a manner that protects freedom of expression and the rule of law.
