Despite the presence of Ofoegbu and his lawyer, Yakubu Galadima, in court on Thursday, the matter was postponed.
The Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, has adjourned the cyberstalking case against social media influencer Chizorom Harrison Ofoegbu, popularly known as Ijele Speaks II, to May 23, 2025.
Despite the presence of Ofoegbu and his lawyer, Yakubu Galadima, in court on Thursday, the matter was postponed. Galadima confirmed the new date in a statement to SaharaReporters, saying: “The matter will be coming up on 23rd May.”
Following the brief court appearance, Ofoegbu was returned to Ikoyi Custodial Centre. Notably, the production warrant that brought him to Lagos for trial from the Federal High Court in Awka expired on the same day.
Earlier in the week, SaharaReporters reported that Ofoegbu was scheduled to appear in the Lagos court as part of his long-delayed trial, following over a year of what activists have described as unjust detention. His case was recently transferred from Anambra to Lagos State.
Ofoegbu also faces another court appearance on June 16 before Justice Akintayo Aluko at the Federal High Court in Ikoyi.
The transfer of Ofoegbu’s case to Lagos followed a legal victory in which a court nullified an arrest warrant to move him to Anambra State.
Human rights activist Omoyele Sowore revealed that sustained public pressure led the Ministry of Justice and the Office of the Chief Judge of Nigeria to agree to consolidate the multiple charges against Ofoegbu for trial in Lagos.
This consolidation effectively blocked what activists had called an attempt at “extraordinary rendition,” warning it could have exposed the defendant to serious harm.
“We are pleased to report that, following a year-long struggle to prevent the ‘extra-ordinary rendition’ of blogger Chizorom Ofoegbu @IjeleSpeaks2 to potential harm in Awka, Anambra state, the Ministry of Justice and office of the Chief Judge of Nigeria have agreed to consolidate his cases for trial in Lagos,” he had disclosed.
“As a result, the ‘production warrant’ obtained to transfer him to Awka for trial on cybercrime charges has been nullified,” he had added.
SaharaReporters previously detailed how Ijele Speaks II had spent over a year in detention following his arrest over allegations against popular preacher Evangelist Ebuka Obi.
Ofoegbu was taken into custody by the Nigeria Police Force in March 2024 after he publicly accused Obi, founder of the Zion Prayer Movement Outreach, of orchestrating fake miracles.
In a viral post, Ijele described the pastor as a fraud and dismissed his televised miracles as staged performances. He also called for Obi’s arrest, alleging that he had commercialised his religious platform.
In response, police authorities in Abuja summoned Ofoegbu over allegations of criminal intimidation, threat to life, cyberstalking, and cyberbullying. However, after honouring the police invitation, he was detained and later transferred to the Keffi Correctional Centre in Nasarawa State.
Ofoegbu’s prolonged detention has drawn criticism from civil rights groups and activists, who view the case as a troubling attack on free speech and have continued to demand his immediate release.
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