Nigerian TikToker Olumide Ogunsanwo, popularly known as Seaking, has been released from police custody after his arrest for allegedly cyberbullying Pastor Enoch Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).
Seaking’s arrest was because of a series of videos he shared on his TikTok page, alleging the revered cleric was silent in the face of economic hardship under the current government while he was outspoken under a previous one.
A group which called itself Concerned Christian Youth Forum considered the remarks on Pastor Adeboye offensive and wrote a petition to the police.
However, Seaking’s lawyers argue that the arrest and detention were unjustified and a violation of his fundamental rights.
Seaking Arrested and Released
After his initial arrest, Seaking was taken to the Magistrate Court in Ogba, Lagos, and later flown to Abuja, where he was detained by the Cybercrimes Unit of the Force Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (FCIID).
His lawyers rejected the initial bail conditions, which required a Level 12 or 10 civil servant. Instead, Seaking was released on administrative bail, signed by former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore.
“We are pleased to confirm that Olumide Ogunsanwo @seaking303 has been released from @PoliceNG custody after our prompt rejection of the initial bail condition,” Sowore wrote on his X handle.
Seaking’s Attorney’s React
Despite his release, Seaking’s troubles are far from over. His lawyers have issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the RCCG and Pastor Adeboye, demanding a retraction of a press statement regarding allegations of cyberstalking and defamation.
According to the lead counsel, Inibehe Effiong, the RCCG’s statement was “provocative” and suggested that the law should take its course based on a petition written by a certain James Paul Adama, masquerading under the name of “Concerned Christian Youth Forum“.
Effiong argued that Pastor Adeboye cannot be considered a victim of alleged cyberstalking or defamation while another party serves as the complainant.
“To be clear, purported injuries suffered as a result of any act of alleged cyberstalking or alleged defamation are personal in law and not transferable,” he said.
The lawyer also argued that “mere vulgar abuse or insults” do not constitute a criminal offense in Nigeria, and that defamation or cyberstalking cases cannot be pursued through proxies.
“We will sue Pastor Adeboye and RCCG if they fail to retract their statement within 24 hours,” Effiong warned. “Since the RCCG has decided to associate itself with the busybody petitioner and to drag Pastor Enoch Adeboye into the pit of illegality dug by the police and the busybody complainant, they must understand the legal implications.”
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