Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Federal High Court sitting in Osogbo, Osun State, has ordered the remand of an Islamic cleric, Jamiu Adegunwa, in police custody over allegations of criminal defamation and cyberstalking, following his arraignment on a one‑count charge of cyberstalking. The cleric, who pleaded not guilty, was remanded pending the hearing of a formal bail application.
Justice Suleiman Hassan, presiding over the case on Monday, June 22, 2026, ordered that Adegunwa be remanded in the custody of the Zone 11 Police Command. The judge gave the directive after both the prosecution and defence counsel presented their arguments, noting that the remand would remain in effect pending the hearing and determination of a formal bail application.
According to the prosecution counsel, J. Famuyin, the alleged offence took place between July 4 and July 31, 2022, within the Osogbo metropolis. The prosecutor told the court that the defendant knowingly sent verbal and photographic messages through his social media platform, Facebook, specifically via the “Al‑Madrasatu Wahabiya” page. The prosecution alleged that the messages were false, injurious and offensive to the character and reputation of the complainant, Yusuf Adepoju, who is the President of the Academy of Islamic Propagation (ACADIP). The prosecutor stated that the offence contravened Sections 24(1)(a) and (b), and 24(2)(a) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.
Counsel to the defendant, Oladayo Ogungbe, prayed the court to admit his client to bail on the “most liberal terms.” However, the prosecution opposed the oral application and urged the court to direct that the defendant be remanded at the Ilesa Correctional Centre. In his ruling, Justice Hassan ordered that the cleric be remanded in the custody of the Zone 11 Police Command pending the hearing of the formal bail application. The judge adjourned the case to June 26, 2026, for the hearing of the bail application.
The case stems from an earlier court directive. In January 2026, Justice Adefunmilola Demi‑Ajayi of the same court had ordered the prosecution to ensure the appearance of Adegunwa and his son, Isa Adegunwa, following their failure to appear in court over allegations of libelous statements against Yusuf Adepoju. The court had warned that the defendants could be declared wanted if they continued to evade trial. The prosecution had informed the court that the defendants had been duly informed of their arraignment date but failed to honour the summons. The defendants were not represented by legal counsel at the time, and the court directed that all lawful means be deployed to ensure their arrest and appearance.
The charges against Adegunwa are part of a series of defamation cases linked to the cleric. He was arrested earlier in June 2026 in Ibadan, Oyo State, in connection with an ongoing criminal trial regarding alleged defamatory, offensive and menacing online publications targeting Yusuf Adepoju and his family. The case highlights the growing legal scrutiny of online publications and social media content in Nigeria, particularly under the Cybercrimes Act, which imposes penalties for the dissemination of false information and cyberstalking.
As of the time of this report, Adegunwa remains in police custody pending the June 26 bail hearing. The outcome of the case could have significant implications for the regulation of online speech and the protection of reputational rights in Nigeria's digital space.
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