Pastor Enoch Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church Of God (RCCG) has been told to be ready for cross examination should the Nigeria Police bring criminal charge against a popular TikToker, Mr. Olumide John Ogunsanwo alias Seaking.
This was just as Inibehe Effiong, lead counsel for the TikToker, issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the church to retract its press statement on the arrest of his client, or face legal suit.
It was recalled that Seaking was rearrested after his appearance at the Magistrate Court, Ogba, Lagos on Thursday, 6th February, 2025 and flown to Abuja at the instance of the Cybercrimes Unit of the Force Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (FCIID). He was said to have been arrested based on petition that he insulted Pastor Adeboye.
The Nigerian Voice understands that earlier on Monday, the RCCG has stated that the earlier call for the release of Olumide Ogunsanwo by its G.O did not mean his trial would not go on.
In a statement released by the Public Relations Unit, Office of the Principal Executive Assistant to the General Overseer, the church clarified its position, stating that due legal processes must be followed.
The statement read, “There has been a video in circulation calling for the release of Olumide Ogunsanwo (Seaking303) by Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye. However, it is important to note that the earlier videos containing potentially defamatory statements had not been thoroughly examined.”
The RCCG church noted that upon careful review of the concerns raised regarding certain statements and allegations, it had 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 (Seaking303).”
The statement explained that the Church does not intend to interfere with the ongoing police investigation, especially as there is an official complaint filed by the Concerned Christian Youth Forum against Olumide Ogunsanwo John (Seaking303) 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 profession-ally 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.
“We also caution against cyberbullying and inappropriate commentary regarding Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, The Redeemed Christian Church of God, and the body of Christ at large.
“Furthermore, the Church encourages respectful discourse and will continue to promote a culture of honour while discouraging defamatory and disrespectful statements. Respect for spiritual leaders is a deeply held value in our faith and culture.
“We encourage all to engage in constructive and respectful discussions, honouring those who have laboured in the faith,” the RCCG added.
Meanwhile, in a release issued on Monday, the lead counsel for the TikToker described the church’s statement as provocative.
He said, “Our attention has been drawn to a provocative public statement issued by the public relations unit of the THE REDEEMED CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF GOD on this case.
“The Church in the statement conceded that Pastor Adeboye is not behind the petition that led to the arrest of Seaking, but it nonetheless suggested that the law should take its course based on a petition written by a certain busybody named James Paul Adama masquerading under the name of “Concerned Christian Youth Forum”.
“The Church stated that the petition was written by the forum “on behalf of the Fathers of Faith, including Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye”.
“To be clear, purported injuries suffered as a result of any act of alleged cyberstalking or alleged defamation are personal in law and not transferable.
“Pastor Adeboye cannot be the victim of alleged cyberstalking or defamation, while another person pretends to act as the complainant.
“It should also be stated that mere vulgar abuse or ‘insults’ are not criminal offences in Nigeria. Mere vulgar abuse is neither defamatory nor cyberstalking.
“Cyberstalking and defamation cannot be pursued through proxies.
“Since PASTOR E. A. 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 capitulation by the Church, as evidenced by the eccentric statement issued by the Public Relations Unit of the RCCG.
“It is pertinent to state that the fundamental rights of Olumide Ogunsanwo have already been breached, as he was detained beyond the permissible constitutional timeline, and without legally tenable grounds.
“Since the RCCG has decided to associate itself with the busybody petitioner and to drag Pastor Enoch Adeboye into the pit of illegality dug by the police and the busybody complainant, they must understand the legal implications.
“We are now left with no choice but to join Pastor Enoch Adeboye as a party to any action we would be filing for the enforcement of the fundamental rights of Seaking. This capitulation may also entail Pastor Adeboye having to personally testify in court in any criminal charge brought by the police, and him being subjected to cross examination.
“We demand that Pastor Adeboye and the RCCG should retract their statement within the next 24 hours if they want to avoid being made parties to the legal proceedings.
“It is important for Pastors and Christian leaders in our country to live by the true tenets of Christianity.
“Pastors who resort to weaponizing the police to witch-hunt those who speak against them stand the risk of having their calling questioned. Vengeance should be of the Lord as admonished in the Bible, not of the Police.
“However, where a pastor is determined to pursue an eye for an eye, he or she must be careful not to overreach his critic, abuser or adversary, and must be mindful not to violate the due process of law while seeking redress from earthly institutions.”
