Popular TikTok star Olumide Ogunsanwo, known as Seaking, has been granted bail by a magistrate’s court in Ogba, Lagos, following his arrest over a controversial video that allegedly incited an attack on police officers. The court set his bail at ₦500,000, with two sureties in the same sum.
Seaking was arrested on Saturday after posting a video on social media where he allegedly called on Nigerian youths to “wage war” against the police if they “pass their boundaries.” The video quickly went viral, leading to widespread backlash and a police investigation. Seaking now faces charges of treason, cyberstalking, and conduct likely to provoke a breach of peace.
In the ruling on Monday, the court set stringent conditions for Seaking’s bail. The sureties must be residents of Lagos, gainfully employed, and one must be a family member. The court emphasized the need for Seaking’s release on liberal terms, especially after his legal team successfully argued that the police had failed to provide sufficient grounds for his continued detention.
Seaking’s lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, spoke out about the treatment his client received during the arrest. He revealed that the police initially denied him access to Seaking while he was detained at the state police command in Ikeja, and even blocked Seaking’s wife and their six-month-old child from seeing him. Effiong described the actions of the police as unjust, noting that they had even attempted to remand Seaking for 30 days without presenting adequate evidence.
Acting quickly, Effiong and his team intercepted the remand proceedings, which had already begun without their presence. The legal team argued against the police’s request for a 30-day detention, pointing out the lack of probable cause. The court ultimately sided with the defense, stating that the police had not provided enough evidence to justify the extended remand period.
The court has adjourned the case to January 16, 2025, awaiting further advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP). In the meantime, Seaking has been granted bail, and his legal team remains committed to fighting the charges against him.
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