A Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Monday granted bail in the sum of N50 million to United Kingdom-based Nigerian blogger and activist, Maureen Omorinola Badejo, who is facing charges of alleged cyberstalking and defamation.
The bail was granted by Justice Akintayo Aluko of the Federal High Court, with strict conditions attached to the ruling.
According to the court order, the defendant must provide two sureties.
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).
The court further directed Badejo to deposit her international passport with the court as part of the bail conditions.
Justice Aluko also ordered that her personal belongings be released to her.
The case was subsequently adjourned to June 1, 2026, for further proceedings.
Badejo had earlier been remanded at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre, Lagos, following her arraignment by the police on multiple charges related to alleged cyberstalking and defamation.
The charges stem from podcasts allegedly published on her GIO TV Media platform, where police claim she made defamatory allegations against Ajose Sola, a regional pastor of Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries in the Igando area of Lagos.
According to the charge sheet dated February 25, 2026, Badejo and others said to be at large allegedly used a Facebook account to disseminate statements the police described as false and defamatory.
In one of the podcasts, the blogger allegedly claimed that the cleric was involved in “diabolical practices,” including performing sacrifices and engaging individuals to carry out spiritual activities on his behalf.
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She was also accused of publishing another podcast alleging that the pastor was involved in an affair with the wife of a pastor of Redeemed Christian Church of God who resides in the same estate.
In another allegation, the blogger reportedly claimed that the cleric buried a live cow and ram behind his residence for alleged satanic purposes and used spiritual means to control members of his congregation.
Police further alleged that the publications were knowingly false and capable of causing a breakdown of law and order.
The alleged offences are 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, a coalition of civil society organisations in Lagos, had earlier called for Badejo’s immediate release, describing her detention as an attempt to silence dissenting voices.
The group, including members of the Campaign for Democracy and Human Rights, argued that the case reflects what it described as the growing weaponisation of state institutions against critics in Nigeria.
They urged the judiciary to uphold its independence and ensure that the trial does not undermine freedom of expression.
