The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has called for the immediate release of TikTok personality Olumide Ogunsanwo, popularly known as SeaKing, who was arrested and arraigned for criticizing him on social media.
Adeboye also distanced himself from the arrest, stating that he had no knowledge of the incident or those behind it.
SeaKing’s arrest stemmed from a TikTok video posted in December 2024, where he condemned Adeboye’s call for a 100-day fast, describing the directive as “stupid.” Following the post, a Christian youth group, the Concerned Christian Youth Forum, petitioned the Lagos State Police Command, which led to his arrest. The incident has since sparked outrage across social media.
However, in a video that surfaced on Saturday, Adeboye clarified that he had no hand in the matter, urging those responsible to release the TikToker.
“I heard that there was someone who lambasted me thoroughly because I asked my people to fast for 100 days. I didn’t ask him o. I didn’t even ask anybody who is not a member of the Redeemed Christian Church of God to fast—only my children. But God said that it would happen. I was told that some people got so angry, and they went and arrested the fellow. Haaa! Release him. He is fulfilling prophecy,” Adeboye stated.
Meanwhile, the convener of the Concerned Christian Youth Forum, James Adama, admitted in a YouTube video on Friday that his group was responsible for SeaKing’s arrest. He justified the move, claiming it was necessary to curb cyber harassment against religious leaders.
“I was simply disturbed to come across a recent video in which an individual identified as 32-year-old Ogunsanwo Olumide launched a vicious verbal assault on Pastor E.A. Adeboye. In a shocking display of disrespect and defiance, Mr Ogunsanwo branded Pastor Adeboye as a very stupid person and a fool, alleging that he had instructed his congregation to engage in a 100-day fast.
“This brazen act of verbal harassment is not only reprehensible but also strikes at the heart of our cultural norms and values. It undermines the crucial principle of respect for elders, which is deeply embedded in our society, and threatens to erode the very foundation of our moral framework.
“This is to inform the general public that Ogunsanwo has been arrested and will be charged in court for his unprovoked, distasteful, and disrespectful insult directed at the revered Christian leader. The Concerned Christian Youth Forum is behind his arrest,” Adama said.
Speaking on the development, one of SeaKing’s legal representatives, Deji Adeyanju, praised Adeboye’s call for his client’s release and hinted at legal action against the Christian group responsible for his arrest.
“That is how pastors should behave. Any pastor who arrests someone for insulting or criticising him is an unbeliever. But the Nigerian police are jobless. How can someone file a petition when he is not even the one defamed? We will advise SeaKing to sue the person who wrote the petition because he had no legal standing to do so in the first place,” Adeyanju said.
When asked about the next steps following Adeboye’s statement, Adeyanju stated, “It all depends on the police. You know the Nigeria police have a penchant for impunity and senselessness. But we will review Adeboye’s video and take it from there.”