In an unexpected turn, the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), and its General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adeboye may have to start appearing before court, over their alleged role in the arrest and detention of a TikToker Olumide Ogunsanwo, also known as SeaKing.
The journey of the renowned religious leader to the courtroom, began barely 24 hours after the church, through its Office of The Principal Executive Assistant to the General, said it had decided to let the authorities handle the investigation and prosecution of SeaKing and determine the appropriate course of action to take against him.
This was contrary to the expectations of Nigerians, who thought that the church had decided to let the matter go, especially after Pastor Enoch Adeboye’s intervention yesterday, where he reportedly asked the police to release the social media personnel.
However, the social media personnel’s legal representative, Inibehe Effiong said the statement attempting to justify SeaKing’s arrest has implicated the general overseer, making him a respondent to the legal action.
Meanwhile, Effiong gave Adeboye and the congregation an ultimatum to retract their comment within 24 hours, or prepare to face the law, which will determine the circumstances surrounding the TikToker’s arrest and detention.
According to him on Monday, his client’s fundamental human rights have been violated as he was detained beyond the permissible constitutional timeline and without legal tenable grounds.
Effiong, who noted that Christian leaders should live by the true tenets of Christianity, stressed that pastors seeking revenge must not overreach or violate the law, but rather follow due process.
The lawyer said, ” In the meantime, our attention has been drawn to a provocative public statement issued by the public relations unit of 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 ”
” 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 ”
“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”
” 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. Our next line of action will be communicated “.
