0-0Social media figure Chizorom Harrison Ofoegbu, also known as “Ijele Speaks II,” regained his freedom on Friday, June 27, after spending over a year at Ikoyi Correctional Centre. The release followed the signing of a release warrant by Justice Daniel Osiagor of the Federal High Court in Lagos, based on previously granted bail terms .
555-0Justice Osiagor had earlier bemoaned the prolonged nature of Ofoegbu’s detention despite full compliance with bail conditions. He noted the prosecution’s repeated failure to appear for scheduled court sessions, effectively stalling the trial .
832-0Initially arrested in March 2024 following a viral post accusing Evangelist Ebuka Obi of staging “fake miracles,” Ofoegbu faced charges of cyberstalking, criminal intimidation, threats to life, and cyberbullying. These charges were brought under the now-contentious case titled IGP v. Chizorom Harrison Ofoegbu (FHC/L/321/2024) .
1197-0Bail was granted on June 14, 2024, by Justice A. Aluko and subsequently modified on July 19 to ensure easier compliance. Despite satisfying all requirements, Ofoegbu remained in custody, prompting legal interventions .
1449-0This week, Ofoegbu’s legal team, led by Yakubu Galadima, petitioned the Nigerian Correctional Service, citing constitutional violations—specifically Chapter IV of the 1999 Constitution—due to absence of a valid remand order .
Ofoegbu’s case sparked national debate, with civil rights advocates pointing to the misuse of defamation and cybercrime laws to muzzle free speech. Many labeled his detention as a troubling precedent for digital-era justice.
Now a free man, Ofoegbu’s newfound liberty is likely to reignite conversations around the balance between religious influence, legal authority, and freedom of expression in Nigeria.
