BREAKING: Police Raid Home of Former MFM Church Member Currently in Prison, Seek to Arrest His Wife; Instruct Her to Appear at Abuja Office Upon Seeing Her Young Children

The family attorney, Mr. Adesina Ogunlana, disclosed the situation through a Facebook video on Wednesday, under the title 'Latest On The Mountain Of Fire And Miracles Ministry (MFM) Vs The Ayotunde Richards Family.'

Sholabomi Richards, spouse of Ayotunde Richards—a gospel music artiste and ex-member of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries, currently detained in Ikoyi Prison—was summoned by a police unit from Abuja to visit their station.

Meanwhile, Ayotunde remains incarcerated, facing charges of cyberbullying and defamation directed at MFM’s leader, Daniel Olukoya.

Ayotunde Richards was granted bail by a Lagos Federal High Court last Wednesday, though he has yet to meet the bail requirements.

Reportedly, a group of at least eight officers from Abuja's Federal Criminal Investigation Department raided her residence in Magboro, Ogun State, on Wednesday evening with intentions of arresting her.

The officers alleged they had received a complaint against her but did not provide the alleged document.

The incident was confirmed by family lawyer, Mr. Adesina Ogunlana, in his Facebook video broadcast on Wednesday, explained under the heading, 'Latest On The Mountain Of Fire And Miracles Ministry (MFM) Vs The Ayotunde Richards Family.'

He noted that the officers took her statement without showing her the claimed petition from MFM.

The lawyer added that the officers ultimately opted not to detain her, considering it would leave her three minor children unattended.

Ogunlana stated, "This evening on the 1st of May 2024, eight armed police officers from Abuja descended on Mrs. Solabomi Richards in her family home; her husband is still under detention. Police recorded her statement concerning an unshown petition alleged by MFM, later reversed their decision to transport her to Abuja due to the presence of her three young children alone at home, and instructed her to appear at their office on Wednesday, 8th May 2024."

Previously, it was reported by that Ayotunde Richards and 23-year-old blogger Adewale Ajimosogbe, also implicated in charges of cyberbullying and defamation, are still in prison a week post their bail approval by the Federal High Court in Lagos.

Both have been accused of defaming MFM’s General Overseer, Olukoya.

On the 24th of April, Judge Ambrose Allagoa confirmed that their charges were eligible for bail, requiring them to secure sureties possessing landed properties in Lagos. However, seven days after the ruling, both individuals had not finalized their bail conditions.

Richards was initially arrested following a complaint by Davidson Adejuwon.

Adejuwon, acting as attorney for Mrs. Sanni, an aide supposedly managing Olukoya’s social media, accused Richards of various counts of cyberbullying and defamation against Olukoya.

Alongside, Ajimosogbe, the editor of PostReporters, faced apprehension in the Okitipupa region of Ondo State.

It came to light that Ajimosogbe was arrested after he published a story concerning Richard’s legal action against Olukoya, requesting N15.5 billion for alleged violation of his fundamental human rights, including claims by Adejuwon and the Nigerian police.

Allegedly, the blogger intensified his version with claims suggesting 'Olukoya is a criminal and the mastermind behind all illicit activities in MFM.'

Richards had pursued legal redress against Olukoya for purported violations of his own fundamental human rights.

The plaintiffs listed include Davidson Olaniran Adejuwon, Esq.; Superintendent of Police Tawose Ayoleyi Ajayi and the Nigerian Police Force, positioned as the first to fourth defendants respectively.

Previously a choir leader for the cleric, Ayotunde Richards has accused Olukoya of detaining him for eight days at the Federal Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), Alagbon in Ikoyi.