The lead counsel for TikToker-turned-activist Olumide Ogunsanwo, popularly known as SeaKing, Inibehe Effiong, has threatened legal action against the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye.
This comes just hours after the church issued a statement supporting the TikToker’s arrest for allegedly insulting the cleric.
SeaKing was apprehended by officers of the Nigeria Police in Lagos and transferred to the Federal Investigation Department (FID) in Abuja on charges of cyberbullying, following directives from Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Dasuki Galandanchi.
Seaking had, in a now-viral TikTok video, branded Pastor Adeboye as “very stupid and foolish” for subjecting his congregation to a 100-day fast.
Adeboye, however, called for SeaKing’s release saying he was ‘fulfilling prophecy’.
But the church, in a statement released on Monday said due process must be followed and asked that the law be allowed to take its full course—a contrary stand to Adeboye’s directive.
The statement said the new position results from a “careful review of the concerns raised regarding certain statements and allegations in the video.”
It partly reads, “It is important to properly understand Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye’s statement during the Holy Ghost Service Night on Saturday regarding Olumide Ogunsanwo (Seaking303). The Church does not intend to interfere with the ongoing police investigation, especially as there is an official complaint filed by the Concerned Christian Youth Forum against Olumide Ogunsanwo John (Seaking303) and others on behalf of the Fathers of Faith, including Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye.
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“Therefore, we trust that the relevant authorities will carry out their investigations professionally and reach a just conclusion based on the law. While Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye maintains a heart of love and reconciliation, due process must be followed. We also caution against cyberbullying and inappropriate commentary regarding Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, The Redeemed Christian Church of God, and the body of Christ at large.”
Reacting, Effiong criticised the church’s position and warned of legal action against Pastor Adeboye if the statement was not withdrawn within 24 hours. He questioned RCCG’s sudden shift after initially distancing itself from the matter and accused the church of aligning with an unlawful detention.
Effiong insisted that Adeboye could now be named in legal proceedings and might be required to testify in court. He urged RCCG to retract its statement within 24 hours to avoid legal consequences.
‘Due process must be followed’, RCCG counters Adeboye’s call for SeaKing’s release
TikToker Seaking crossed the line by insulting Pastor Adeboye — Christian Group
“It is pertinent to state that the fundamental rights of Olumide Ogunsanwo have already been violated, as he was detained beyond the constitutionally permissible timeline and without any legally tenable grounds. Since RCCG has now chosen to align itself with the petitioner and drag Pastor Enoch Adeboye into the pit of illegality created by the police and the complainant, they must understand the legal consequences,” the statement reads.
“We are now left with no choice but to include Pastor Adeboye as a party in any legal action we file to enforce SeaKing’s fundamental rights.
This development may also require Pastor Adeboye to personally testify in court in any criminal case brought by the police, where he will be subjected to cross-examination.
“We demand that Pastor Adeboye and RCCG retract their statement within the next 24 hours if they wish to avoid being named as parties in legal proceedings.
“Pastors who resort to weaponising the police to silence their critics risk having their calling questioned. Vengeance, as the Bible admonishes, should be left to the Lord, not the police.
“However, if a pastor insists on pursuing an eye for an eye, in seeking redress through earthly institutions,”
