By Ado Oyeyemi
The Oyo State Police Command has arrested an Islamic cleric, Jamiu hmm Adegunwa, over allegations of defamatory publications targeting the President of the Academy of Islamic Propagation, Mallam Yusuf Adepoju.
Adegunwa was reportedly apprehended in Ibadan following his alleged failure to appear before a Federal High Court sitting in Osogbo, Osun State, in connection with the case.
According to the prosecution, the cleric is accused of publishing defamatory content against Adepoju, the Academy of Islamic Propagation and members of the complainant’s family through a social media platform identified as Al-Madrasatu Wahabiya.
The prosecution alleged that the publications, which were said to have been made between July 2021 and the present, subjected the complainant to ridicule, hostility and reputational damage.
Counsel to the prosecution, J. Oyetunji, further told the court that Adegunwa had previously filed a suit against the Inspector-General of Police and a former Assistant Inspector-General of Police in Zone 11 at the Federal High Court in Lagos, seeking N500 million in damages.
The prosecution maintained that the court ruled in favour of the police in the matter and that subsequent judicial orders paved the way for the cleric’s arrest.
Authorities also alleged that the offence contravenes provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, specifically Sections 24(1)(a) and (b) as well as Section 24(2)(a).
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The case is currently before the Federal High Court in Osogbo under charge number FHC/OS/86C/2025, where Adegunwa is facing a one-count charge bordering on alleged defamatory publication.
