On Monday, a magistrate’s court in Ogba, Lagos, granted bail to TikToker Olumide Ogunsanwo, popularly known as Seaking. The court set the bail at ₦500,000, requiring two sureties in the same amount.
This decision followed Seaking’s arrest on Saturday after he posted a video on social media allegedly encouraging attacks on police officers if they overstepped their bounds. The court specified that one surety must be a family member, while both must reside in Lagos and have gainful employment, ensuring a level of accountability in the bail terms.
Seaking’s legal troubles began when police accused him of incitement. His lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, revealed that the charges include treason, cyberstalking, and conduct likely to provoke a breach of peace.
Effiong criticized the authorities for initially denying him access to his client during his detention at the Lagos State Police Command in Ikeja. He also expressed frustration that Seaking’s wife and their six-month-old baby were barred from seeing him, describing the situation as unnecessarily harsh.
The situation escalated when Effiong and his team learned that Seaking was quietly transferred to the Ogba magistrate’s court for remand proceedings. According to Effiong, the police sought a 30-day detention to allow time for an investigation and advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP)
However, the legal team acted swiftly to intercept the proceedings and challenge the remand application, arguing that the police lacked sufficient grounds to detain him for such an extended period.
Effiong explained that the police filed a remand application accompanied by charges alleging that Seaking incited Nigerian youths to “wage war” against the police. In his argument, Effiong urged the court to reject the application, citing insufficient evidence and the provisions of Section 264 (5) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Lagos State.
He emphasized that the police had failed to demonstrate probable cause for the proposed 30-day detention. The court, after considering arguments from both sides, agreed with the defense and ruled against the remand application.
The magistrate instead granted bail under what Effiong described as “liberal terms.” The bail conditions required ₦500,000 and two sureties in the same amount, with one surety being a family member.
Both sureties must reside in Lagos State and be gainfully employed, ensuring compliance with the court’s stipulations. Effiong expressed relief at the outcome, noting that the court had prioritized fairness and due process in its decision.
The case has been adjourned to January 16, 2025, pending further advice from the DPP. As the legal process continues, Seaking’s situation underscores the broader tensions between law enforcement and citizens’ use of social media to express dissent. The case has drawn significant public attention, raising questions about the balance between freedom of speech and public order in Nigeria.
