A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has convicted a blogger, Adewale Ajimisogbe, for cyberbullying and libelling the General Overseer of Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM), Dr Daniel Olukoya.

Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa gave the ruling on Tuesday after Ajimisogbe changed his plea to guilty, following a plea bargain agreement with the police.

Ajimisogbe and a former member of MFM, Ayotunde Richards, were arraigned on March 20, 2024, on a 12-count charge bordering on conspiracy, cyberbullying, and libel.

The blogger faced an additional nine counts of libel separate from the joint charges.

According to police prosecutor Nosa Uhumwangho, the offences occurred between December 2023 and February 2024.

Uhumwangho told the court that Ajimisogbe, through his platform “Postreporters,” published a report titled: “He is a criminal and behind all illegal acts – Ex-MFM Church singer sues founder Daniel Olukoya and others, seeks N15.5 billion in damages for illegal detention and breach of human rights.”

The prosecution said the publication breached Sections 27 and 24(1)(b)(2)(a)(i) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.

Though both defendants initially pleaded not guilty, Ajimisogbe opted for a plea deal in which he agreed to publish a formal apology and retraction and forfeit N50,000 to the Federal Government.

His lawyer, Ife Ajayi, pleaded for leniency, noting that Ajimisogbe was a first-time offender with no criminal record.

The plea bargain was not opposed by the police, the lawyer representing the second defendant, Ademola Adewale, or counsel to the nominal complainant, A. Adegboye.

In his ruling, Justice Lewis-Allagoa said, “After careful consideration of the application and the submissions from counsel, the plea bargain agreement is hereby granted. The first defendant is to forfeit N50,000 to the state.”

The judge adjourned further hearing to June 3, 2025, for the trial of the second defendant.