In a significant legal development, the Chief Magistrate Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Wuse Zone 6, Abuja, has granted a remand warrant for Reno Omokri, a social media influencer and former special assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan, along with ex-Dunamis Church Pastor Abraham Daniel, Alexander Enenche, and Enenche Idoga Peter. The court order, issued on January 13, 2025, mandates that the individuals be held in the custody of the Nigeria Correctional Service pending investigation and possible prosecution, according to Sahara Reporters.
The case stems from a petition filed by Patrick O. Okolo, SAN, against Omokri, the Gistlover Blog, and several others for alleged defamation. The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, filed an ex-parte motion seeking the remand of the respondents. Chief Magistrate Emmanuel A. Iyanna, presiding over the court, granted the motion, issuing the order for the remand of the four individuals.
Chief Magistrate Iyanna’s ruling reads,
“An Order of this Honourable Court for remand warrant of the Respondents (i) Mr. Daniel Abraham, (ii) Mr. Enenche Idoga Alexander, (iii) Oboyinlo Enenche Peter, and (iv) Mr. Reno Omokri in the custody of the Nigeria Correctional Service pending investigation, arraignment, and prosecution. The Respondents should be produced on the return Court date of January 30, 2025.”
The police are actively seeking Omokri’s detention, in connection with the alleged defamation involving various online posts and allegations. Omokri, known for his influential online presence, faces serious accusations alongside the others.
The case also highlights a deeper personal and legal conflict, particularly involving Pastor Abraham Daniel, who resigned from Dunamis Church after serving for over a decade. According to sources familiar with the situation, Daniel’s departure was a result of a fallout with Pastor Paul Enenche, the head of the church.
The source claims that Pastor Enenche opposed Daniel’s resignation, leading to significant tensions, including threats made against Daniel after his exit. The situation allegedly worsened when Daniel was involved in an accident, after which he claims police officers arrived at the scene and took him into custody. These officers reportedly informed him that his arrest was ordered by Pastor Enenche.
Following this, Daniel was reportedly pressured to delete his Facebook page and agree to terms that would include compensation for the damage to his car. However, according to the source, the compensation was not as agreed, with Pastor Enenche reportedly only offering N200,000, despite a previous agreement to cover the car’s repair costs.
Pastor Daniel’s involvement in the legal matter deepened in January 2025 when he was invited for questioning by the Force Intelligence Department (FID) on charges related to cyberbullying, criminal defamation, and public nuisance. The investigation stemmed from various social media posts that criticized public figures, including Pastor Enenche’s daughter for having tattoos, and raised concerns over the living conditions of a relative.
Daniel reportedly acknowledged the accuracy of the posts but stated that he could not confirm their exact source. He was instructed by authorities to remove the posts and issue an apology to Pastor Enenche. Despite complying with the order, Daniel was again detained during a follow-up police invitation on January 13, 2025.
The case was adjourned to January 30, 2025, with the court directing the police to complete their investigations and present the respondents for potential arraignment. As the legal process unfolds, the actions of the individuals involved and their respective legal representatives will continue to draw significant attention.