The Zion Prayer Movement Outreach has denied allegations linking its founder, Evangelist Ebuka Obi, to the prolonged detention of controversial blogger, Chizorom Ofoegbu, popularly known as Ijele Speaks.
Ofoegbu was sued by Obi at a Federal High Court in Lagos over alleged threats to life. Although the blogger was granted bail on June 14, 2024, the church stated that he failed to meet the conditions initially but later perfected them after a successful application for a variation of the terms, which was not opposed by the prosecution.
During a press briefing in Lagos on Saturday, the church’s Media and Public Relations Consultant, Dan Aibangbe, alongside its legal team, dismissed media claims as false and malicious. They presented certified court documents to support their position.
Aibangbe stated that after the bail variation was approved, the matter was adjourned to October 21 and 22, 2024. However, when the trial resumed, Ofoegbu’s lawyer informed the court that his client had not been produced by prison officials despite meeting bail conditions.
The presiding judge, Justice Akintayo Aluko, questioned the prosecution, who clarified that Ofoegbu’s continued incarceration was due to a separate case involving allegations of cyberstalking and defamation brought by another religious leader, Victor Onukaogu, also known as Daddy Hezekiah. That matter is currently before a High Court in Awka, Anambra State.
The Zion legal team emphasized that Evangelist Obi was not connected to Ofoegbu’s continued detention and only reported a perceived threat to law enforcement as a civic duty.
They called on the media and public to disregard what they termed a fabricated report and warned of possible legal actions against those spreading misinformation. The church reiterated its commitment to truth and transparency.
