Metro

SeaKing’s Lawyer Threatens To Sue Adeboye Over TikToker’s Arrest

Published

4 months ago

February 10, 2025

Inibehe Effiong, the lead counsel for TikToker-turned-activist Olumide Ogunsanwo, popularly known as SeaKing, has threatened to sue the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, just hours after the church released a statement supporting the TikToker’s arrest for allegedly insulting the cleric.

In a TikTok post shared in December 2024, SeaKing criticised Adeboye for urging Nigerians to fast for 100 days, describing the directive as “stupid.”

Outraged by the post, the Concerned Christian Youth Forum, a religious youth group, petitioned the Lagos State Police Command, leading to SeaKing’s arrest in December—a move that sparked widespread backlash on social media.

However, during a recent Holy Ghost Congress service, Adeboye distanced himself from the TikToker’s arrest, claiming he was unaware of the incident or the individuals behind it.

Following his remarks, the police released SeaKing on administrative bail on Monday after his legal team initially rejected certain bail conditions.

Yet, in a statement issued on Monday afternoon by its Public Relations Department, RCCG reaffirmed its support for the TikToker’s arrest, stating that the youth group’s petition was filed “on behalf of the Fathers of Faith, including Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye.”

“Upon careful review of the concerns raised regarding certain statements and allegations, it has become necessary to allow the law to take its course. It is important to properly understand Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye’s statement during the Holy Ghost Service Night on Saturday regarding Olumide Ogunsanwo (SeaKing).

“The church does not intend to interfere with the ongoing police investigation, especially since an official complaint was filed by the Concerned Christian Youth Forum against Olumide Ogunsanwo John (SeaKing) and others on behalf of the Fathers of Faith, including Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye.

“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,” the statement read.

In a swift response, SeaKing’s lawyer condemned the church’s stance and threatened to sue Pastor Adeboye if the statement was not retracted within 24 hours.

Effiong stated, “Since Pastor Enoch Adeboye had initially distanced himself from the matter, we had decided not to join him and the church as respondents in any fundamental rights enforcement suit. We do not know what motivated the church’s sudden shift, as evidenced by the eccentric statement issued by the Public Relations Unit of RCCG.

“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.

“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.”

The lawyer further cautioned religious leaders against using law enforcement agencies as tools of suppression.

“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, he or she must be careful not to overreach their critic, abuser, or adversary, and must ensure that due process is not violated in seeking redress through earthly institutions,” the statement said.

Metro

Gunmen Kill Man, Burn Houses In Kwara

Published

2 minutes ago

June 10, 2025

Editor

Gunmen believed to be members of ‘Mahmuda’ group on Sunday attacked Karongi town in Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara state, killed one person and burnt many houses in the community.

The bandits who invaded the town early in the morning reportedly killed a resident before setting some houses ablaze.

According to The PUNCH, the gunmen took advantage of the absence of the vigilantes in the community who had travelled to attend a workshop while others had travelled out to celebrate the Eid-el-Kabir outside the community.

It was further gathered that the gunmen who had a field day in the community between 6am and 11am were however dislodged by the combined team of soldiers and vigilantes mobilised from the adjoining settlements in the area.

Though the police feigned ignorance of Sunday’s attack in Karongi, the Nigerian Army confirmed the incident to our correspondent.

The Emir of Yashikira Emirate in Baruten Local Government Area, Alhaji Umoru Sariki, also confirmed the incident to The PUNCH.

The Emir who spoke in a telephone conversation on Sunday night said one person was killed during the attack while many houses were burnt.

Umoru said, “Yes, the bandits from Mahmuda group struck at about 6 am on Sunday. They attacked Karongi town in my Emirate. They killed one person and burnt many houses in the community.

“They took advantage of the absence of the vigilantes who had travelled for Sallah while some had also gone for training. They invaded the town for hours, from 6 am to 11 am. We have to go to the surrounding communities in the Emirate to mobilise local vigilantes who succeeded to chase them away at about 11o’clock.”

The Emir said that “the soldiers were far away adding, that the army was stationed in Chikanda which is far away from the community.”

When contacted earlier, the Police Public Relations Office in Kwara State Police Command, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said she was not aware of the attack.

She said, “I’m not aware of this incident. I will do my findings and get back to you.”

The Public Relations Officer of the 22 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Sobi, Ilorin, Lt. Stephen Nwankwo, however, confirmed the attack on Monday.

He said, “Yes, the incident happened. I’m aware. One of the vigilantes was killed while some makeshift houses were set ablaze by the gunmen. The soldiers were alerted about the incident and they went to the village. The person who was killed was one of the vigilantes who escorted the soldiers to the village.

“The bandits ran away on sighting the soldiers and escaped from the area”, the Army spokesperson said.

Metro

Tension Brews As Gov Bago Pardons 11 Murder Convicts

Published

20 minutes ago

June 10, 2025

Editor

The Gaba community in Lavun Local Government Area of Niger State are spoiling for war with her sister community, Amfani, also in Lavun LGA, following a state pardon granted to 11 deathroll convicts.

The Niger State Governor, Mohammed Bago in what has been described as a judicial tsunami, granted an unconditional pardon to 11 Amfani sons who were sentenced to death by a competent court of law after they were found guilty of killing seven sons of Gaba community.

The governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, made the pardon decision known via a statement which he made available to Arewa The PUNCH titled: “Governor Bago grants state pardon to 11 convicts.”

The statement which read in parts revealed that the “Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago has granted unconditional state pardon to 11 convicted persons who were sentenced to death.

“The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister. Nasiru Mu’azu disclosed this during a press briefing at the Government House, Minna.

“He explained that the convicts were involved in a communal clash between Gaba and Amfani communities of Lavun Local Government Area of the state, which led to the loss of lives and property.

“The Commissioner revealed that the state pardon is in exercise of the constitutional powers of the governor following a written request which was further reviewed between the governor and the state Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy.

“He said the State pardon is also part of the reconciliatory efforts to ensure lasting peace between both communities, adding that several meetings have been held and all issues have been resolved.

“Answering questions from the media practitioners on the fate of others with similar issues, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice advised such communities or individuals with similar issues to come up with a written request for consideration.

“He said the Instrument of Pardon was signed on the 28th of May 2025 and has been gazetted.

“Those granted state pardon are: Mohammed Mohammed, Nana Alhaji Sheshi, Isah Baba Nmadu, Mohammed Mohammed Ndabida, Abubakar Baba Salihu, Baba Mohammed Shaba, Adamu Mohammed Babaminin, Haruna Mohammed, Isah Mohammed, Alhaji Inuwa, Ibrahim Mohammed and Mohammed Isah,” Ibrahim stated.

However, shortly after the decision to grant the state pardon to the convicts was announced, all hell was let loose in the Gaba community as the youths took to the streets to protest the governor’s action, saying that the governor had set the stage for more bloodbath.

According to the chairman of the Gaba Development Association, Paul Gana, it took the intervention of elders in the community to dissuade the youths from taking the law into their hands.

In an open letter to the Niger State Governor signed by the Public Relations Officer of the Gaba Development Association, Isah Baba reminded the governor that the prerogative of mercy in the Nigerian constitution is not to be misused to undermine the sanctity of the Judiciary.

“We, the people of Gaba in Lavun Local Goverment, have decided to use this medium to air our grievances and not keep silent over the exercise of state pardon granted to convicted murderers of our kinsmen.

“Your Excellency, Farmer Governor, Umaru Bago, the murder of seven (7) innocent, unarmed individuals from Gaba community whose corpses were severely mutilated and body parts carted away by the convicted murderers is considered to be the most heinous crime that ever happend in the history of NUPE people.

“It took the intervention of community elders and well-meaning Nigerlites to stop a retaliation from Gaba youths and allow justice to run its course through the legal process. Those found guilty by court were meant to face the full weight of justice. But with the steps you were ill adviced to take today, we fear that your good name would bedraggedd in the mud.

“Your Excellency, the powers of prerogative of mercy as enshrined in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is intended to serve as tool for justice and compensation in exceptional circumstances and not to be misused to undermine the sanctity of the Judiciary.

“Granting pardon to the eleven persons convicted for the offence of murder devalues the lives of the victims, disrespect their families, and erodes public confidence in the administration of state affairs through your leadership.

“This action will earn you the reputation of being the first governor in the history of Niger State to weaponise the power of state pardon to subvert and circumvent justice. It will go down in the history of Niger State as a reference point that in your tenure as governor, you created a backdoor escape for convicted murderers and criminals.

“It will also appear laughable your stance on the criminal activities in Minna that made your government to impose cufew on the operations of motorcycles and tricycles recently.

“More worrisome is the fact that it will undermine the sanctity of the judiciary and the painstaking process by which conviction was secured. It will dampen the morale of law enforcement agencies who investigated the case. It will trample on the rights and memories of the victims and their families, encourage Nigerlites to seek alternatives to get justice, and just maybe ignite another round of loss of lives and properties.

“This ill adviced action is sending a dangerous message that weighty crimes such as taking a human life can be absolved by the process of political or executive discretion.

“We need not remind you, Your Excellency, that your most important duty is to secure the lives and property of all Nigerlites and to ensure their well-being.

“In this instance, we are afraid to state that the State failed to secure the lives of the victims and now failed to give justice to them.

“Mr. Governor Sir, we call on you to reconsider this pardon, uphold the sanctity of the judicial process, and ensure that justice is not sacrificed on the altar of political convenience or vested interest,” Baba declared in the terse statement.
(PUNCH)

Metro

NDLEA Destroys Cannabis Farms, Arrests 39 Suspects In Edo

Published

15 hours ago

June 9, 2025

Editor

The Edo Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has destroyed two cannabis farms, arrested 39 suspected drug traffickers, and seized over 1.3 tonnes of illicit drugs in May.

Mr Mitchell Ofoyeju, the State Commander of the agency, disclosed this on Monday in Benin while presenting his first monthly operational scorecard.

Ofoyeju said those arrested included 18 males and 21 females.

He said that the two cannabis farms, measuring a combined 0.783 hectares, were located in Uzebba and Ohosu forests across Owan West and Ovia South West Local Government Areas, respectively.

He said that the Uzebba farm covered 0.266 hectares while the Ohosu farm spanned 0.517 hectares.

Ofoyeju noted that the major highlight of the operation was the interception of 74 and a half bags of cannabis sativa weighing 1,115 kilograms at Oke community in Ohunwude Local Government Area, following an intelligence report.

“The two suspects arrested in connection with the seizure are a 33-year-old Isaac Israel from Abak Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom, and a 19-year-old Precious Zion from Ogba Local Government Area in Rivers.

“In a separate raid at the Oluku area of Benin City, an 18-year-old Nigerien, Mohammed Isah, was also arrested for an unlawful possession of various drugs.

“The drugs are four grams of methamphetamine, 54 grams of cannabis sativa, six grams of tramadol tablets (100 milligrams), and 28 grams of Exol-5 tablets,” he said.

The NDLEA commander linked drug trafficking to rising violent crimes in the state.

He said the activity undermined public safety, investment opportunities, and placed heavy burdens on the law enforcement and the healthcare system.

“Drug control is germane to Gov. Monday Okpebholo’s fight against kidnapping and cultism in the state.

“The Edo Command of the agency will continue to work assiduously in ensuring a safe and secure society for all,” Ofoyeju said.

He reaffirmed the mandate given to him by the NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive, Brig-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retired), to dismantle cannabis cultivation syndicates and expand the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign.

Ofoyeju called for immediate and coordinated efforts to combat the risks associated with drug trafficking and abuse.

He also advocated proactive strategies and improved resource allocation to address drug and drug-related problems.