A Christian youth group has defended the arrest of a social media influencer, Ogunsanwo Olumide John, popularly known as Seaking, over his alleged cyber harassment of the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye.
Seaking was apprehended by officers of the Nigeria Police Force in Lagos and transferred to the Federal Investigation Department (FID) in Abuja under the supervision of Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Dasuki Galandanchi.
His arrest followed accusations of cyberbullying after he made a viral TikTok video in which he branded Pastor Adeboye as “very stupid and foolish” for imposing a 100-day fast on his congregation.
The Concerned Christian Youth Forum, which claimed responsibility for the petition that led to Seaking’s arrest, condemned the video, describing it as an attack on a revered religious leader.
The group’s convener, Adama Paul James, warned that such behavior posed a growing threat to societal values.
“This act of brazen cyber 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 that is so deeply embedded in our society and threatens to erode the very foundations of our moral framework,” James stated.
He further decried what he called a rising trend of social media users attacking religious figures under the guise of content creation.
“The current social media landscape has exposed a disturbing trend among the younger generation, where they are brazenly attacking and insulting respected Christian leaders with impunity, all in the name of content creation. This phenomenon of moral degeneration is now endemic in our society, reaching unprecedented levels that challenge the very fabric of our values,” he added.
James emphasized that Christian leaders and elders deserve respect as custodians of wisdom, experience, and cultural heritage.
“The erosion of this fundamental principle of respect for elders is a worrisome development that must be addressed with urgency,” he said.
Confirming the arrest, he noted that legal proceedings would follow.
“This is to inform the general public that the said Ogunsanwo Olumide John has been arrested and will be charged to court for his unprovoked, distasteful, and disrespectful insult directed at the revered Christian leader, Papa E.A. Adeboye, on the social media platform TikTok.”
He warned that such conduct would no longer be tolerated.
“The Concerned Christian Youth Forum is behind his arrest. Let me reiterate that as concerned Christian youths, we will no longer fold our hands and watch such reprehensible behaviors, especially those targeting highly esteemed and prominent figures like genuine leaders of the Christian faith. Such attacks will no longer be tolerated or condoned in our nation.”
Seaking’s actions, he said, violated Nigerian cyber laws, specifically Section 24 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2024, which criminalizes cyber harassment and prescribes penalties, including imprisonment.
