Ilorin, Kwara State -30 June, 2025
A Magistrate Court sitting in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, has ordered the remand of a renowned Islamic preacher, Alhaja Kafilat Kaola, at the Oke-Kura Correctional Centre following a defamation suit filed against her by Sheikh Taofeek Akewugbagold, a respected Islamic scholar and Wazeer Muslimeen of Oyo State.
The court’s decision came after Alhaja Kaola was arraigned for allegedly making defamatory statements against Sheikh Akewugbagold during one of her public sermons, which was widely circulated on social media.
During the court proceedings, her counsel applied for bail on self-recognition, arguing that she is a prominent religious leader and school proprietor based in Ibadan. However, the prosecution opposed the request, citing a viral video clip in which the cleric was seen allegedly making derogatory comments about a judge and legal practitioners in a related matter. The prosecution argued that such behavior made her unfit to be granted bail.
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After considering the arguments, the magistrate ruled that Alhaja Kaola be remanded in prison custody until the next hearing date, scheduled for July 17, 2025.
The case has drawn significant public attention, particularly within Islamic circles in Oyo and Kwara States, where both religious figures command large followings.
The legal action highlights the increasing scrutiny of public religious commentary and underscores the judiciary’s stance on upholding the integrity and dignity of individuals, regardless of social or religious status.
