- Safiu Kehinde
Human Rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, has disclosed how Lagos Police operatives’ had secretly arraigned popular Nigerian TikToker, Olumide Ogunsanwo (SeaKing) for remand proceeding over 4-count charge bordering on alleged treason, cyberstalking, and breach of peace.
Inibehe made the disclosure in a post on his official X handle on Monday.
The human rights lawyer recounted how he and his colleague, Jeremiah Okoro, had alongside SeaKing’s wife went to the state’s Police Command to see the detained TikToker who was arrested for alleged incitement of Nigerian youths to wage war against the Police.
While been denied access to see him, Inibehe proceeded to the office of the State Commissioner of Police to file a report.
Inibehe alleged that while waiting for the Lagos CP, SeaKing was sneaked out of custody for arraignment at Ogba Magistrate Court.
The plot was, however, intercepted as the human rights lawyers proceeded to the court where the Police had requested for the TikToker to be remanded for 30 days.
The defense counsel opposed the application on multiple grounds.
After several arguments, the Magistrate ruled out the remand application while granting Seaking N500,000 bail on liberal terms which include two sureties in like sum.
The case was adjourned till 16th of January 2025
The post read in part; “Popular TikToker, Olumide Ogunsanwo, alias SeaKing has been granted bail by the Magistrate Court of Lagos State, sitting in Ogba.
“I went to the State Police Command, Ikeja this morning with my colleague, Jeremiah Okoro, along with the wife of Seaking who came with their 6 months old baby to visit him.
“The policemen did not grant us access to him. I went to report to the Commissioner of Police (CP).
“While waiting to see the CP to express our grievances, Seaking was sneaked out of the CP Tactical Squad 1 where he was being held, and taken to the Ogba Magistrate Court for secret remand proceedings.
“Thankfully, we intercepted the information and proceeded immediately to the court premises where we met Seaking with the police officers.
“To our consternation, the Nigeria Police filed a remand application and annexed a charge to it wherein they’re accusing him of treason, cyberstalking, conduct likely to cause breach of peace and provoking breach of peace.
“They are claiming that he called on Nigerian Youths to “wage war” against the police.
“We opposed the application for remand on multiple grounds, while urging the court to refuse the application to remand him for 30 days pending DPP advice.
“We applied that he should be admitted to bail in line with the provisions of Section 264 (5) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Lagos State.
“The court considered arguments from both sides and upheld our position, and held that the police failed to show probable cause why he should be remanded for 30 days.
“The Learned Magistrate accordingly admitted Seaking to bail on liberal terms; specifically in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum, one of the sureties should be his family member and the sureties should be resident in Lagos State and be gainfully employed.
“The case has been adjourned to the 16th day of January, 2025 for report of DPP advice.