A Lagos State Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday ordered the remand of a man, Kayode Samuel Jolaoso, at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre for 10 days after he was caught secretly recording UK-based Nigerian blogger, Maureen Badejo, during court proceedings.
Jolaoso, said to be a loyalist of the General Overseer of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries, Dr Daniel Olukoya, was found guilty of contempt of court after his actions were discovered inside the courtroom.
PLATFORM TIMES gathered that Badejo had earlier been granted bail in the sum of ₦10m with a surety acceptable to the court following her recent detention by the police over petitions reportedly filed by Apostle Johnson Suleman of Omega Fire Ministries and Pastor Olukoya.
Eyewitnesses said Jolaoso had been seen around the case in recent days and was also sighted at a police station a day earlier, where a female officer reportedly described him as a police officer, raising suspicion about his role.
During Tuesday’s sitting, Jolaoso was observed recording Badejo for about 20 minutes, an act prohibited under court rules. His conduct drew the attention of other persons in the courtroom, leading to an exchange that was noticed by the presiding magistrate.
When questioned, he denied recording. However, the magistrate ordered that his phone be examined. A member of Badejo’s family reportedly volunteered to inspect the device, during which a 20-minute video was found in the ‘recently deleted’ folder, contradicting Jolaoso’s claim.
The court immediately convicted him of contempt and ordered his remand for 10 days, directing that he be brought back after completing the term.
Sources in court said while the phone was being examined, several calls reportedly came in from a person described as a pastor, allegedly seeking updates, unaware that Jolaoso was already being taken into custody.
Earlier, Jolaoso had accused activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, of orchestrating what he described as a “fabricated media narrative” to discredit investigations involving Badejo.
In a Facebook post, he claimed Badejo was facing 13 separate petitions from individuals and organisations, insisting that the matter did not arise from a single complaint.
“Maureen Badejo is not subject to a single questionable complaint. She is facing thirteen distinct and serious petitions from individuals and entities who allege significant harm caused by her actions,” he wrote.
He also dismissed reports suggesting that negotiations or police demands were conditions for Badejo’s release, insisting that bail and procedure were strictly within the discretion of the court.
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