The Nigerian police have rearrested popular TikToker Olumide Ogunsanwo, known as Seaking, within the premises of a Lagos State court shortly after the day’s proceedings.
The Tiktoker was taken from the court premises to the State Police Command in Ikeja before being flown to Abuja via the Murtala Muhammad International Airport.
Seaking’s lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, condemned the rearrest, calling it an “egregious abuse of the legal process.”
In a statement on his X handle, Effiong demanded the Inspector General of Police intervene and order Seaking’s immediate release.
He explained that it is utterly condemnable that the same Nigeria Police Force that initiated an ongoing legal proceeding in Lagos would brazenly rearrest his client who is on bail and transfer him to Abuja.
He described the move as a blatant display of impunity, arguing that the police — who are meant to uphold the rule of law — are instead underundermining it.
According to Effiong, “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.”
He said Seaking was first arrested on 20th December, 2024 and taken before the Magistrate Court on 23rd December, 2024 for remand. We opposed the application for remand for 30 days and the court refused the application.
Effiong further explained that the Learned Magistrate admitted Seaking to bail and ordered the police to forward a duplicate copy of the case file to the DPP for legal advice.
The matter was then adjourned to 16th January, 2025 for 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 report of compliance.
“It is utterly condemnable that the same Nigeria Police Force that initiated an ongoing legal proceedings in Lagos would brazenly rearrest our client who is on bail granted by the court and move him to Abuja,” Effiong stated.
“We call on the Inspector-General of Police to put an end to this outrageous charade and egregious abuse of the legal process and order the immediate release of Seaking.
“The fact that the Nigeria Police Force that is supposed to be Nigeria’s primary law enforcement agency is actively leading the assault on the rule of law is evidence of the alarming state of impunity and lawlessness in the country,” Effiong added.
