Youtuber Reportedly Arrested By Police For Blasting Apostle Suleman’s “Money Miracle

A Youtuber identified as Israel Balogun has reportedly been taken into custody by the Police Force Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department in Abuja.

He was been whisked away following accusations of criminal defamation and cyberstalking of the General Overseer of the Omega Fire Ministries International, just days after Apostle Johnson Suleman told those criticizing and insulting him via online channels to pay him for it.

According to Punch, the 38-year-old was interrogated for four hours and later arrested after being handed strict bail terms after posting a video on his Youtube channel showing recordings of Suleman stating to his congregation that angels will transfer money into their bank accounts.

The video was reportedly taken during the cleric’s visits to Atlanta, Georgia, and Auchi, Edo State, where followers displayed their phones to attest to seeing credit alerts in their bank accounts.

Balogun’s comments that the charges were baseless and that he lambasted Suleiman drew varied reactions.

He also told the publication that he received a threat call from one Obi-West regarding the video, as well as a letter from Suleman’s lawyer requesting a public apology within seven days on Monday, August 2, 2021.

Balogun said; “He said he is the eyes of Apostle Suleman on social media and said I should expect to hear from them. He said I will be missing and he will make sure I get punished by officers from the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters.

“He said killing me is nothing to them. I recorded the whole conversation and used it in recording another video where I called people to rescue me because my life was in danger.

 “I was still consulting with my lawyer when somebody called to notify me that some guys from Abuja were in Lagos to pick me up to Abuja. My wife, daughter, and I immediately abandoned our home and went into hiding.”

The YouTuber further stated that he was invited by the Special Enquiry Bureau, FCIID, Abuja, in a statement signed by one ACP Yahaya Abubakar, instructing him to show up at the FCIID on August 11, 2021.

On Wednesday, August 11th, his lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, apparently verified that he had been arrested.

According to Effiong: “The formal interrogation was for about four hours, including the time they used in taking his statements. Part of his bail conditions was to provide two sureties with landed property and certificate of ownership in Abuja, and a Level 14 civil servant with either a letter of last employment or letter of introduction.

“We have somebody with CofO, and presented a Level 13 civil servant, which they accepted. But they insisted that the person should bring a letter of introduction, whereas the person has a letter of last promotion. Even though we said we will bring the originals tomorrow, they rejected it and put Balogun in the cell.

“The conditions are difficult and unnecessary given the nature of the offence. There is no reason why the police should get involved as he (Suleman) should have gone to court to file legal action if he felt he had been defamed.”