In February 2024, AYOTUNDE RICHARDS, a former singer and member of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM), filed a fundamental rights lawsuit against Dr. Daniel Olukoya, the church’s General Overseer, his lawyer Barrister Davidson Adejuwon, and others. The case, marked FHC/L/168C/2024, is currently before the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos.
RICHARDS, known for his critical posts about Dr. Olukoya on social media, had also enlisted bloggers to publicize his suit. One of them, ADEWALE AJIMISOGBE, the first defendant, published the allegations using headlines such as: “HE IS A CRIMINAL AND BEHIND ALL ILLEGAL ACTS – EX-MFM CHURCH SINGER SUES FOUNDER, DANIEL OLUKOYA, OTHERS, SEEKS N15.5 BILLION IN DAMAGES…”
Disturbed by the persistent defamatory publications, Dr. Olukoya’s personal assistant lodged a criminal complaint, leading to the arraignment of RICHARDS and AJIMISOGBE under the Cybercrime Act.
As the trial was set to begin, AJIMISOGBE opted for a plea bargain. He agreed to publish a retraction, issue a public apology, both of which he has fulfilled, and pay a N50,000 fine. A court order dated April 11, 2025, confirmed the agreement, noting that AJIMISOGBE had reached out to Dr. Olukoya’s legal team, expressed remorse, and promised not to repeat the offense.
Following the plea deal, AJIMISOGBE is now discharged from all charges. The case against RICHARDS, however, continues, with trial adjourned to June 3, 2025.
About MFM
The Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM) is a Pentecostal Christian denomination founded in 1989 by Dr. Daniel Kolawole Olukoya (DKO) in Yaba, Lagos State, Nigeria. Since its establishment, MFM has expanded globally, with churches in several countries.
Dr. Olukoya is renowned for his teachings on deliverance and spiritual warfare. He has authored numerous publications, including widely used prayer books such as Prayer Rain, Prayer Passport to Crush Oppression, and Pray Your Way to Breakthroughs.
