Influencer ‘Ijele Speaks’ Regains Freedom After Over a Year in Detention Amid Evangelist Obi Saga

Popular social media influencer Chizorom Harrison Ofoegbu, known to his followers as Ijele Speaks II, has finally been released from Ikoyi Correctional Centre, Lagos, following more than a year in custody over defamation allegations linked to Evangelist Ebuka Obi, founder of the Zion Prayer Movement Outreach.

The long-awaited release was officially executed on Friday, after Justice Daniel Osiagor of the Federal High Court in Lagos signed a release warrant, confirming that Ofoegbu had satisfied all bail conditions earlier granted to him by the court.

In a dramatic turn of events, Justice Osiagor on Thursday reaffirmed Ofoegbu’s bail in Charge No: FHC/L/321/2024 – Inspector General of Police v. Chizorom Harrison Ofoegbu, and expressed dismay at the influencer’s continued incarceration despite full compliance with legal requirements.

Court proceedings had been stalled for months due to repeated failures by federal prosecutors to appear, leaving Ofoegbu languishing in detention without formal arraignment. Justice Osiagor described the situation as a constitutional violation, instructing the defence team to initiate immediate steps for his release.

Ofoegbu’s ordeal began in March 2024, when he was arrested by the Nigeria Police Force after he made a viral social media post accusing Evangelist Obi of stage-managing miracles and commercialising religion. He openly branded the pastor a fraud and called for his arrest—statements which led to a backlash and eventually, legal consequences.

Following police summons in Abuja, Ofoegbu was detained and later remanded at the Keffi Correctional Centre in Nasarawa State on charges including cyberstalking, criminal intimidation, and threat to life.

Despite being granted bail on June 14, 2024 by Justice A. Aluko of the Federal High Court in Lagos—and with conditions varied on July 19—Ofoegbu remained behind bars. His legal team, led by Lagos-based lawyer Yakubu Galadima, Esq., insisted all bail conditions had been met.

Galadima submitted a formal petition to the Comptroller of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Lagos Command, demanding Ofoegbu’s release. He raised concerns that a shadow charge in Awka, Anambra State, was being used to illegally extend his detention.

The defence labelled the prolonged incarceration as an abuse of judicial process, citing a breach of Ofoegbu’s rights under Chapter IV of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and an open defiance of court orders.

Civil rights activists and free speech advocates have rallied behind Ofoegbu, warning that the case represents a disturbing trend of weaponising law enforcement to silence dissent. Several human rights organisations have condemned the handling of the matter as “judicial harassment aimed at intimidating outspoken voices.”

Further scrutiny fell on the alleged forgery of court documents used to justify his initial detention—claims that the defence team has promised to pursue in a separate legal action.

In what his supporters are calling a major legal victory, a Federal High Court ruling nullified efforts to transfer Ofoegbu to Anambra, leading to the consolidation of his case in Lagos.

Following Friday’s ruling and his subsequent release, supporters gathered outside the court in celebration, chanting “Free speech won!”

As of now, Ofoegbu has yet to make a public statement, but sources close to his legal team told Fusion Chronicles Nigeria that a press conference may be scheduled in the coming days.

Stay with Fusion Chronicles Nigeria for exclusive updates and interviews on the Ijele Speaks saga.