21st March, 2024
Members of a coalition of Civil Society organisations have protested the continued detention of an ex-chorister of Mountain of Fire & Miracles Ministry, Ayotunde Richard.
Members of the CSOs on Thursday thronged the Federal High Court in Ikoyi. They were seen in front of the court wielding placards.
The protesters accused the Police of disobeying an order of the court for Richard to be freed. Richard has been accused of defaming and cyberbullying the General Overseer MFM, Pastor Daniel Olukoya. But the protesters said he should be immediately released.
Meanwhile, Justice Ambrose Allagoa of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, had ordered that Richard, should be remanded at Ikoyi Custodial Centre following his arraignment on Thursday. The remand order was given pending the hearing of his bail application.
Richard became a defendant in court following a petition by a lawyer, Davidon Adejuwon who on behalf of a certain Mrs. Sanni, accused Richards and others of cyberbullying and making libelous claims against Olukoya.
Prior to the time, Richard himself had filed a suit against Pastor Olukoya, alleging a breach of his fundamental human rights. Richards who was the leader of MFM’s backup singers had claimed that Olukoya had him locked up at the Federal Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), Alagbon, Ikoyi for eight days. He said his detention by the police was illegal and oppressive.