The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God Worldwide, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has called for the release of TikTok influencer Olumide Ogunsanwo, popularly known as SeaKing, who was arrested and arraigned for criticising him on social media.
Adeboye, who distanced himself from the incident, stated that he had no knowledge of the arrest or those responsible for it.
SeaKing had shared a TikTok video in December 2024, criticising Adeboye for instructing members of the Redeemed Church to fast for 100 days for Nigeria, describing the directive as “stupid.”
His post angered the Concerned Christian Youth Forum, which petitioned the Lagos State Police Command, leading to his arrest in December.
The arrest sparked widespread criticism across social media platforms.
However, in a viral video, Adeboye clarified that he was not involved and urged those responsible to release SeaKing, insisting that the TikToker was only fulfilling prophecy.
“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 said.
In a separate YouTube video, James Adama, convener of the Concerned Christian Youth Forum, admitted the group was behind the arrest.
He explained it was a response to what he described as the increasing menace of cyber harassment targeting respected 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 declared.
Reacting to the development, one of SeaKing’s legal representatives, Deji Adeyanju, commended Adeboye for securing the TikToker’s release and warned that the Christian group responsible for the arrest would face legal consequences.
“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 after Adeboye’s statement, Adeyanju added, “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.”
