Police arrest Islamic cleric over alleged defamatory publications

The Police in Oyo State have taken into custody Islamic cleric Jamiu Adegunwa following allegations of publishing defamatory material about the President of the Academy of Islamic Propagation, ACADIP, Mallam Yusuf Adepoju.

Adegunwa was apprehended in Ibadan after failing to appear before a Federal High Court session in Osogbo, Osun State.

Prosecutors claim that the cleric made defamatory statements against Adepoju, his organization, and family members through his social media platform, Al‑Madrasatu Wahabiya.

The alleged publications, said to have begun on 6 July 2021 and continuing to the present, are alleged to have caused injury, insult, hatred, enmity and damage to the complainant’s reputation and character.

Prosecuting counsel Mr J. Oyetunji also noted that Adegunwa had previously filed a lawsuit against the Inspector‑General of Police and the former Assistant Inspector‑General of Police in Zone 11 before the Federal High Court in Lagos, seeking N500 million in damages.

According to the prosecution, the case was decided in favour of the police, and subsequent court orders directed the cleric’s arrest.

The prosecution further alleges that the offence violates Sections 24(1)(a) and (b) and 24(2)(a) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.

The matter is currently before the Federal High Court in Osogbo under Charge No. FHC/OS/86C/2025, where the defendant faces a single count of alleged defamatory publications.