Police rearrest TikTok Star Seaking for alleged cybercrime

Popular Nigerian TikTok user Olumide Ogunsanwo, also known as Seaking, was rearrested during a court appearance on Thursday.

He was reportedly arrested because of his recent social media posts exposing police corruption.

Human rights activist Omoyele Sowore shared the news on X (formerly Twitter), condemning the arrest as an effort to silence critics of the Nigerian Police Force.

Sowore alleged that Force Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, was behind the arrest, using cybercrime charges as a pretext.

He wrote, “It has come to our attention that @PoliceNG in Lagos has arrested @seaking303 during a court appearance today, allegedly accusing him of cybercrime due to his latest social media posts on police corruption. This latest arrest was reportedly orchestrated by Force PPRO Adejobi Olumuyiwa @Princemoye1.

“We request the police to release @seaking303 immediately and stop harassing Nigerians with cybercrime allegations.”

Seaking had previously been arrested on December 20, 2024, and arraigned at the Ogba Magistrate Court on December 23, 2024, facing charges of treason and cyberstalking over a viral TikTok video. In the video, he allegedly urged Nigerian youths to resist police harassment by throwing stones at officers demanding to check their phones.

Despite the prosecutor’s request for a 30-day remand, the court granted Seaking bail. His release was delayed due to the holiday season and administrative processes. On January 6, 2025, Seaking’s lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, confirmed his release from Kirikiri Maximum Security Custodial Centre after fulfilling his bail conditions.

Effiong also criticized the police for using criminal charges to suppress free speech, vowing to challenge the legal proceedings.