Ayotunde Richard, a gospel singer and former member of Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries (MFM), has finally been released from prison after weeks of detention. The police released him on Monday after he met his bail conditions in Lagos State.
Richard had been arrested and detained over alleged cyberbullying and libel against MFM church founder, Dr. Daniel Olukoya. Despite meeting his bail conditions on Friday, he was rearrested by the police at Ikoyi Prison, citing separate charges.
The police filed charges against Richard in March, following a petition by Davidson Adejuwon, accusing him and others of cyberbullying and making libellous claims against Olukoya. Adejuwon filed the petition on behalf of Mrs. Sanni, an aide to Olukoya responsible for his social media concerns.
Interestingly, Richard has a pending case against Olukoya and others, alleging breach of his fundamental human rights. The respondents in the case include Davidson Olaniran Adejuwon, Superintendent of Police Tawose Ayoleyi Ajayi, and the Nigeria Police Force.
Richard, who led the cleric’s backup singers, claimed that Olukoya had him locked up at the Federal Criminal Investigation Department. His release brings an end to his weeks-long ordeal, but the legal battles are far from over.