The Police in Oyo State has arrested an Islamic cleric, Jamiu Adegunwa, over alleged defamatory publications against the President of the Academy of Islamic Propagation, ACADIP, Mallam Yusuf Adepoju.

Adegunwa was reportedly arrested in Ibadan, Oyo State, after failure to appear before a Federal High Court sitting in Osogbo, Osun State.

According to the prosecution, the cleric is facing allegations of making defamatory publications against Adepoju, his organisation and members of his family through his social media platform, Al-Madrasatu Wahabiya.

The prosecution alleged that the publications, said to have been made from July 6, 2021, to date, caused injury, insult, hatred, enmity and damage to the reputation and character of the complainant.

Prosecuting counsel, Mr J. Oyetunji, also alleged that Adegunwa had previously instituted a suit against the Inspector-General of Police and the then Assistant Inspector-General of Police in Zone 11 before the Federal High Court in Lagos, seeking N500 million in damages.

According to the prosecution, “the case was decided in favour of the Police, following which subsequent court orders directed the cleric’s arrest.”

The prosecution also alleged that the offence contravenes Sections 24(1)(a) and (b) and 24(2)(a) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.

The matter is before the Federal High Court, Osogbo, in Charge No. FHC/OS/86C/2025, where the defendant is facing a one-count charge bordering on alleged defamatory publications.