New information has surfaced regarding Evangelist Ebuka Obi, the self-styled Prophet and leader of Zion Prayer Movement Outreach (ZPMO), allegedly orchestrating a plot to eliminate social media influencer Chizorom Harrison Ofoegbu, widely known as ‘Ijele Speaks II’. The plan reportedly involved bribing prison officials to facilitate Ofoegbu’s transfer to Awka, the capital of Anambra State, for a court appearance.
According to reliable sources, Obi, through his attorney Eze Victor, allegedly compensated four officials from Ikoyi Prison in Lagos State, where Ofoegbu has been detained since 2024, to arrange his air transport to Awka on a Wednesday morning flight. The cleric purportedly intended for Ofoegbu to be assassinated before his scheduled court arraignment on Thursday.
In March 2024, Ofoegbu was detained by the Nigeria Police Force following his public accusations against Evangelist Obi. In a widely circulated post, Ofoegbu labeled the pastor as deceitful, denouncing his miracles as fraudulent and calling for his arrest for allegedly transforming his religious organization into a commercial enterprise.
He wrote: “Dear @Lagos PoliceNG cc @BenHundeyin and our Ministry of Justice, have we abolished the 4(19) of our criminal code? For how long is this thief Ebuka Obi going to be allowed to fool people? Is he above the law? So any criminal can wake up one day and say whatever he likes and would be allowed to go free because ……? Pastor?”
Subsequently, the police in Abuja summoned Ofoegbu over allegations of criminal intimidation, threats to life, cyberstalking, and cyberbullying against the pastor. The petition, obtained by Chronicles Reporters, stated: “This office is investigating an alleged case of Criminal Intimidation, Threat to Life, Cyber Stalking, Cyber Bullying, Conduct Likely to Cause the Breach of Peace in which your name featured prominently…”
The police cited violations of sections 24(1)(a)(b), (2)(a)(b); 27(1)(a) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention) Act 2015, and sections 373 and 374 of the Criminal Code Act, punishable under section 375 of the same code.
In June 2024, the Federal High Court in Lagos granted Ofoegbu bail, with Justice Akintayo Aluko setting the bond at N50 million and requiring two sureties. One surety was to own property in Lagos, while the other was to be a civil servant of at least level 14. Despite meeting these stringent conditions by August 2024, Ofoegbu remained in Ikoyi Prison, awaiting arraignment before Justice Amina A. Mohammed of the Federal High Court, Awka Division.
Sources revealed that during a recent court session, a federal prosecutor and a lawyer representing Evangelist Obi were present. The judge was informed that prison authorities failed to produce Ofoegbu due to his critical illness, claiming he was undergoing dialysis in Ikoyi Prison.
However, insiders disclosed that the head of corrections at Ikoyi had accepted money from Prophet Obi to arrange for four wardens to accompany Ofoegbu to Awka on an 8:30 am flight. The plan allegedly included an ambush by hired assassins en route from the airport. Upon discovering the scheme and recognizing the ethical breach of accepting funds from a complainant, prison authorities canceled the flight and initiated an internal investigation.
Ofoegbu’s legal team has petitioned the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice to relocate the trial to Lagos, citing security and health concerns. Reports indicate that the Attorney General has approved this request, pending final authorization from the Chief Judge in Abuja.
Since August 2024, despite multiple production warrants issued by the Federal High Court, Ofoegbu’s appearances have been repeatedly delayed under questionable circumstances. Justice Amina A. Mohammed has now adjourned the case to May 8 for arraignment in Awka.
In the meantime, sources informed Chronicles Reporters that the implicated prison officers have returned the bribe money to Obi after being caught by the Minister of Internal Affairs, Bunmi Ojo, who has launched a probe into the matter. Attorney Eze Victor, representing Obi, was identified as the individual who facilitated the payment to the prison officials.
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