Legal troubles are on the horizon for blogger and philanthropist Olufunke Afeh, famously known as Angels Empire. Her forthcoming arraignment at the Federal High Court in Lagos on April 8 has garnered public interest regarding the details of her arrest, extended detention, and eventual release on bail.
On February 19, 2025, SaharaReporters brought to light that the police had leveled 11 charges against Afeh, accusing her of various offenses, including cyberstalking and harassment of multiple individuals, notably Mr. Obidi Anthony and his daughters, Nancy Ume and Korra Obidi.
The Angels Empire Foundation reported that Afeh was taken into custody on February 6, 2025, in Abuja. She had responded to a deceptive phone call from the Nigerian Police, which involved a false allegation of phone theft.
Once at the police station, Afeh was swiftly detained at the Force Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Abuja, where she was denied access to legal representation, and her mobile devices were confiscated, leaving her without any means of communication.
According to the Foundation, the lack of clarity surrounding her detention appeared to be a calculated effort by the authorities to prevent her from obtaining legal help and social support. However, prior to her visit to the police station, Afeh had informed her online followers through a video about the suspicious call she received, prompting her family and legal team to take immediate action.
Despite their attempts, her lawyers faced significant obstacles when dealing with the police, receiving limited information about her case and finding themselves barred from seeing their client.
**Forced Transfer from Abuja to Lagos**
On February 8, after being held for 48 hours, officers from Lagos arrived in Abuja and forcibly transported Afeh to Lagos, without allowing her the opportunity to inform her lawyers or her eight-year-old daughter. At that moment, her whereabouts were unknown.
Upon her arrival in Lagos, Afeh was pressured to make statements without the presence of her legal representatives, reportedly under duress. It wasn't until February 10 that she was finally able to consult with a lawyer, who then started discussions about securing her bail.
Despite attempts to expedite her release, the authorities prolonged the legal process. Six days after her arrest, on February 12, Afeh appeared before a Lagos magistrate court, where the police sought to extend her remand period. She was ultimately granted bail on February 19, yet remained incarcerated at Kirikiri Maximum Prison until her bail conditions were fulfilled.
“Prolonged confinement is a violation of international law and Nigerian law. In Nigeria, the legal limit for time spent in custody is 24-48 hours but Angel was in custody for an extended period of time without a trial!” the Foundation said.
“Furthermore, Angel’s fundamental human rights were grossly violated by denying her access to an attorney, by not giving her food or water in Abuja (and also not allowing her to buy food for herself).”
The Foundation has reported that Afeh's arrest was triggered by a complaint from Nancy Umeh, the sister of social media figure Korra Obidi, who accused her of cyberstalking and making threats to her life.
Many observers interpret this move as an effort to silence Afeh for her candid blogging. Critics are alarmed by the possibility that law enforcement has been utilized to settle personal grievances, which raises serious questions about corruption in the Nigerian police force.
**Upcoming Legal Battle**
Afeh is set to appear at the Federal High Court in Lagos on April 8, with further hearings anticipated. What began as a civil dispute has escalated into a significant clash with law enforcement, now officially involving the Inspector General.
Activists and legal analysts view this prosecution as a troubling infringement on freedom of expression, referencing Section 39 of Nigeria's Constitution and Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights.
Numerous human rights organizations, media figures, and legal advocates have come together to support Afeh, condemning the way her case has been managed as a breach of essential democratic values. Many are convinced that her prolonged detention is a strategic effort to silence her, causing distress not only to her but also to her family, especially her young daughter.
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