Police rearrest Tiktoker Seaking, flies him to Abuja despite ongoing Lagos court process

The Nigerian Police Force has rearrested popular TikToker, Olumide Ogunsanwo, also known as Seaking at the Lagos State Magistrate Court’s premises after the day’s proceedings. The TikToker, who was first taken to the State Police Command in Ikeja from the court, has now been flown to Abuja via the Murtala Muhammad International Airport according to reports.

Condemning the rearrest via his X handle, Seaking’s lawyer, Inibehe Effiong said the incident was an “egregious abuse of the legal process” and demanded the Inspector General of Police’s intervention in Seaking’s release.

Effiong expressed that it is unheard of that the Nigeria Police Force that initiated an ongoing legal proceeding in Lagos would swiftly rearrest his client who is on bail and transfer him to Abuja.

“We were before the Magistrate Court of Lagos State sitting in Ogba today, Thursday the 6th day of February, 2025 in respect of the remand proceedings instituted by the Nigeria Police Force against our client, Mr. Olumide Ogunsanwo alias Seaking. After the day’s proceedings, Seaking was rearrested within the court premises and taken to the State Police Command, Ikeja before he was subsequently taken to the Murtala Muhammad Airport from where he is being flown to Abuja,” the lawyer expressed.

Explaining the turn of events, he said the Tiktoker was first arrested on Dec 20 and taken before the Magistrate Court on Dec 23 for remand. The lawyer added that the 30-day remand application by the Police was opposed with the court affirming the opposition.

Effiong noted that the Magistrate admitted Seaking to bail and ordered the police to forward a duplicate copy of the case file to the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for legal advice.

The case was then adjourned to 16th January 2025 for a report of the DPP Advice.

On 16th January 2025, we were in court with Seaking but there was no representation for the prosecution. The court further adjourned the proceedings to today, 6th February 2025.

“A police prosecutor appeared today and pleaded for adjournment to enable them file proof of compliance with the order of the court. The Magistrate granted the application and gave the police seven days to file proof of compliance. The case was then adjourned to the 25th day of March, 2025 for a report of compliance,” he explained.

Effiong further expressed that the Nigeria Police Force which is supposed to be Nigeria’s primary law enforcement agency is actively leading the assault on the rule of law. He tagged this as evidence of the alarming state of impunity and lawlessness in the country.

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Seaking’s arrest and initial bail

Seaking was first arrested on December 20 when he was accused of insulting President Bola Tinubu and Babajide Sanwoolu, the governor of Lagos, in his videos. Another video showed him urging Nigerian youths to retaliate whenever police officers harass them or exhibit any form of brutality.

During his arraignment at the Magistrate Court on December 23, the police had sought to get the court’s consent to remand him for 30 days, but the magistrate court denied their wish. The court instead granted him a bail fee of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum.

“The court also admitted him to bail with the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum. One of the sureties is a family member and gainfully employed. He has been remanded in Kirikiri pending when the bail conditions are met,” Effiong said.

The government critic was then released on January 6 after perfecting his bail conditions.

The TikToker’s arrest comes amidst the detention of Abiodun Thomas, a rights activist and social media user who was earlier arrested for cursing Seyi Tinubu, the president’s son, Kayode Egbetokun, the Inspector General of Police, and the police force spokesperson Muyiwa Adejobi. 

The event generated concerns about Nigeria’s democracy with claims of dictatorial rule where freedom of speech is greeted by sudden and arbitrary arrests.