A couple has been formally charged in an Ibadan court following serious allegations of making death threats against religious leaders and congregants, highlighting the legal and social complexities that can arise from conflicts within faith communities.
On Wednesday, December 31, 2025, the police brought a couple, Olamide Abraham (45) and his wife, Abidemi Abraham (32), before the Iyaganku Magistrates’ Court in Ibadan. The charges stem from accusations that the pair, identified as former members of a Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) on Sango Poly Road, conspired to threaten the lives of pastors and other church members.
The prosecutor, Sergeant Kehinde Olarotimi, presented the case, alleging that the threats occurred over a prolonged period, spanning from 2022 to December 29, 2025. The prosecution claims the defendants sent threatening voice and text messages specifically targeting pastors Michael Ajayi and Daramola, as well as a church member named Emem Inyang and others. The nature of the alleged threats included promises to “kill and send terrors” to the complainants.
This case provides a critical opportunity to understand the legal framework governing such threats in Nigeria. The charges levied against the couple fall under Sections 86 and 516 of the Criminal Law of Oyo State, 2000. Section 86 deals specifically with the offense of “Threat to Life,” which is a serious misdemeanor. It criminalizes the act of threatening another person with death or grievous harm with the intent to put them in fear. Section 516 addresses “Conspiracy,” which is an agreement between two or more persons to commit an unlawful act. The combination of these charges suggests the prosecution is building a case that the couple acted in concert with a sustained intent to intimidate.
Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges. Magistrate Mrs. Adebola Adeola granted them bail set at N200,000 each, with one surety required for each defendant. The court imposed a significant condition: the sureties must be blood relations of the defendants. This condition is not uncommon in Nigerian bail proceedings; it is designed to ensure the sureties have a vested interest in the defendants’ compliance with court orders and their subsequent appearance at trial. The case was adjourned until February 16 for a full hearing.
While the specific catalyst for the alleged threats remains undisclosed in the court report, such incidents often originate from deeply personal disputes. Potential contexts could include conflicts over doctrine, perceived slights or injustices within the church community, financial disagreements, or personal grievances between members and leadership. The transition from internal church conflict to criminal allegation underscores the point where communal mediation fails and state intervention becomes necessary. This case serves as a stark reminder that places of worship, while sanctuaries for many, are not immune to the interpersonal conflicts that can escalate into matters for the justice system.
The forthcoming hearing on February 16 will be crucial. The prosecution will need to present compelling evidence, likely including the alleged voice and text messages, to prove the threats were made and that they constituted a genuine intention to cause fear or harm. The defense will have the opportunity to challenge the evidence’s authenticity, context, or interpretation. The outcome will hinge on the standard of proof required in criminal cases—beyond a reasonable doubt.
Edited by Sandra Umeh
Source: NAN News
