New details have emerged regarding the arrest of UK-based Nigerian blogger Maureen Badejo, revealing a complex dispute involving prominent clerics, Interpol contacts, and Nigerian law enforcement. Sources told SaharaReporters that Badejo’s legal issues originated from a long-standing conflict with Apostle Johnson Suleman, Senior Pastor of Omega Fire Ministries, whom she had repeatedly criticised on her YouTube channel before it was taken down years ago.
According to the sources, the platform removed her channel after reportedly receiving a letter, allegedly from Interpol, branding Badejo a “national security threat.” The letter is said to have been based on a petition submitted by Apostle Suleman. This action significantly limited her online presence at the time.
In recent months, Badejo reportedly engaged a woman connected to Interpol, who claimed she could help restore the suspended channel. This woman, who allegedly had prior ties with Apostle Suleman but later fell out with him, presented herself as supportive of Badejo’s case. She invited Badejo to the Interpol office in Adekunle, Yaba, Lagos, whenever she was in Nigeria to “resolve the Interpol issue.”
Badejo reportedly arrived last Wednesday and complied with the invitation. She was later asked to return on Friday for further discussions. However, on her return, she was reportedly transferred to the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) and detained.
Badejo’s lawyer, Chief George Ogunjimi, clarified that the police are considering multiple charges against her, including alleged cybercrime. He emphasized that Badejo had come to Nigeria to attend an appeal court hearing in Ibadan, Oyo State, scheduled for February 16, 2026, and that she voluntarily responded to the police invitation.
“She was not picked up or abducted. She went to the police station personally in response to the invitation,” Ogunjimi said.
The lawyer also revealed that a second petition, allegedly from Pastor Daniel Olukoya, General Overseer of Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM), contributed to her continued detention and subsequent transfer to the Alagbon detention facility in Lagos. Despite the situation, Ogunjimi expressed confidence, noting the alleged offences are bailable and that his team is prepared to challenge the charges.
Historical context shows that in March 2022, a UK court dismissed Suleman’s defamation suit against Badejo, ordering him to pay £19,601 in legal costs. In August 2023, Badejo reportedly rejected Suleman’s offer to pay £500 monthly towards the judgment.
Separately, in December 2023, a former MFM pastor filed a ₦1 billion suit against Pastor Olukoya over alleged unlawful detention, reportedly linked to grievances shared with Badejo. Badejo has since conducted interviews with individuals raising serious allegations against both clerics, allegations neither Apostle Suleman nor Pastor Olukoya has publicly addressed.
