A Lagos Magistrate’s Court in Ogba has rejected the Nigeria Police Force’s (NPF) request to remand Nigerian TikToker Olumide Ogunsanwo, known as SeaKing, for 30 days. Instead, the court granted him bail.
SeaKing was arrested and charged by the Lagos State Police Command for allegedly inciting the public.
The TikToker had expressed anger over police brutality, urging Nigerian youths to retaliate against any police officer who assaulted them.
He also allegedly insulted President Bola Tinubu and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, attributing the country’s economic struggles to their leadership.
Following these remarks, the police arrested SeaKing shortly after Force Spokesperson Olumuyiwa Adejobi described his actions as cyberbullying.
In a twist, SeaKing’s lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, encountered a delay in visiting his client at the police command.
Effiong, accompanied by his colleague Jeremiah Okoro and SeaKing’s wife with their infant child, was initially denied access.
Effiong then reported the situation to Commissioner of Police, Olanrewaju Ishola. However, while waiting to speak with the CP, SeaKing was secretly moved from the CP Tactical Squad 1 custody and taken to the Ogba Magistrate’s Court for remand proceedings.
Effiong quickly followed the information and arrived at the court, where he found SeaKing with police officers.
The police filed a remand application, charging SeaKing with treason, cyberstalking, conduct likely to cause a breach of peace, and provoking a breach of peace. They accused him of calling on youths to wage war against the police.
Effiong opposed the remand request, arguing that the police had failed to provide sufficient grounds for detaining SeaKing for 30 days.
He requested bail under the provisions of the Lagos State Administration of Criminal Justice Law, Section 264 (5).
The Magistrate, after hearing arguments from both sides, ruled in favor of the defense, stating that the police had not shown probable cause to justify a 30-day remand.
SeaKing was granted bail on liberal terms, set at N500,000 with two sureties in like sum.
One of the sureties must be a family member, and both sureties must reside in Lagos State and be employed.
The case has been adjourned to January 16, 2025, for the report on the Director of Public Prosecution’s (DPP) advice.
