The Force Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, has released a Youtuber, Israel Balogun, who was previously detained on criminal defamation and cyberstalking charges leveled against him by Apostle Johnson Suleman, General Overseer of the Omega Fire Ministries International.
Remember that the 38-year-old was held after being quizzed by police on Wednesday and granted strict bail terms.
Balogun had spent the night with the cops.
But, speaking to the press today in Abuja, his lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, announced the Youtuber’s release following a 24-hour imprisonment.
During a Facebook livestream, the Youtuber was also spotted standing next to the lawyer.
“Finally, we have Mr Israel Balogun here with us,” Effiong remarked. He was recently released from the FCIID in Abuja following a petition submitted by Apostle Johnson Suleman. He had filed a complaint with the police and had him (Balogun) arrested on suspicion of cyber-stalking and defamation.
“He was held in detention for the night, which was unnecessary.”
Balogun shared clips of Suleman declaring to his congregation that angels will deposit money into their bank accounts on his Youtube channel.
The videos were taken during the cleric’s visits to Atlanta, Georgia, and Auchi, Edo State, where devotees displayed their phones to attest that they had received credit alerts in their bank accounts.
Balogun had criticized Suleiman and said the charges were bogus.
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The Youtuber’s comments drew varied reactions on social media, with some praising him for his daring and others accusing him of seeking significance.
Suleman’s lawyer, Samuel Amune, said that the YouTuber went beyond the bounds of the law and freedom of expression by calling his client unprintable terms.
Balogun’s lawyer, meanwhile, stated on Thursday that his client did not defame Suleman and was simply exercising his “right to freedom of expression.”
“We are not afraid of going to court, we are not afraid of prosecution; we are not afraid of the powers of the state because my client is on the side of the law,” Effiong said, adding that for “a man of God” to stand on the pulpit and command Angels to credit money into people’s accounts is a statement of falsehood.
Effiong requested Suleman to order Angels to credit the Federal Government’s accounts “to aid the country.”
“The administration is facing numerous issues; even paying salaries is currently a problem, and the government must rely on China to complete projects. So, if we have an Apostle in Nigeria who can command Angels to credit people’s accounts, why can’t he do the same for the country’s accounts?” the lawyer wondered.
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