A well-known female Islamic scholar Alhaja Kafilat Kaola, in Kwara State has been remanded in prison custody pending trial, after being arraigned in court over allegations of criminal conspiracy and misconduct.

Kaola was ordered to be in remand by the Upper Area Court in Ganmo town over a defamation case involving another renowned Islamic scholar, Alhaji Taofeek Akeugbagold.

Apparently, she called out Akeugbagold for allegedly being a diabolic cleric whom she claimed people especially those seeking knowledge about Islamic religion should run away from.

Debunking the claim, Akeugbagold said he wasn’t ready to trade words with the female scholar while urging her to provide evidence of the damning claims because her accusation has tinted his name and caused a lot of loss to his businesses. He also stressed that although notable Islamic scholars have interfered in the matter but that he won’t let go of Kaola except she cleared him of all the accusations.

During the proceeding on Monday, counsel for Kaola pleaded with the court to grant his client bail on self-recognisance and account of her public status, assuring the court that she would not abscond.

However, the plaintiff’s counsel, Ajasa Ademola, strongly opposed the bail request.

He argued that the defendant was not qualified for such leniency, referencing her alleged involvement in a similar matter and a pattern of conduct unbecoming of someone seeking bail.

Ademola submitted a widely circulated video clip in which the defendant was purportedly seen making derogatory remarks about a judge and a legal practitioner, connected to an earlier case.

Ademola contended that people who make public attacks against the judiciary should not be granted bail, referencing relevant legal statutes to strengthen his position.

After reviewing arguments from both parties, the presiding judge ruled that Alhaja Kaola be held in custody at the Oke Kura Correctional Facility.

The matter was subsequently adjourned to July 17, 2025, for further hearing.