AAC presidential candidate says the TikTok personality deserves liberty as he offers legal advocacy over charges linked to alleged threats against Seyi Tinubu
African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has offered to support controversial disc jockey and TikTok personality Ademola Abiodun, popularly known as DJ Chicken, following his arraignment over alleged threats against Seyi Tinubu, the son of President Bola Tinubu.
Also read: Court grants Sowore fresh N200m bail in cybercrime trial
Announcing the offer in a post on his X account on Monday, Sowore said he was prepared to advocate for the social media personality and assist in challenging what he described as burdensome criminal charges.
“If anyone knows how to reach DJ Chicken’s family or relatives, I will be happy to advocate for him and help him challenge the burdensome charges brought against him by the jobless @PoliceNG,” Sowore wrote.
The former presidential candidate argued that the content creator should not remain in custody while facing trial, maintaining that the law guarantees his right to liberty.
“I want to help get DJ Chicken out of prison because I do not believe he deserves to spend a day behind bars; he is entitled to his liberty under the law.
“Young Nigerians need opportunities, guidance, and justice, not persecution and endless incarceration,” he added.
The Sowore supports DJ Chicken development follows the TikTok personality’s arraignment on Friday before a Magistrate’s Court in Ogba, Lagos, on a three-count charge bordering on alleged threat to kill, conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace, and offences under the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.
According to the prosecution, the charges stem from a viral video in which DJ Chicken, while discussing the 2027 presidential election in Yoruba, allegedly threatened to kill Seyi Tinubu if President Bola Tinubu secured a second term in office.
Following public criticism of the video, DJ Chicken released another recording retracting the remarks.
He described the statement as a joke intended to attract attention and insisted that he never intended to harm the President’s son.
The content creator pleaded not guilty to all three charges.
The trial magistrate, M.F. Onamusi, granted him bail in the sum of ₦1 million, with two sureties in like sum, but ordered that he be remanded at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre pending the fulfilment of the bail conditions.
The matter was adjourned until August 3, 2026, for further proceedings.
Sowore has consistently criticised the arrest and prosecution of activists, journalists and social media personalities, arguing that criminal laws should not be used to suppress free expression.
However, Nigerian authorities have maintained that threats of violence, particularly those made through digital platforms, are subject to prosecution under existing laws where criminal offences are alleged.
Also read: Lawyer alleges DJ Chicken arrest over Seyi Tinubu video
The case continues to generate debate over the balance between freedom of expression and the enforcement of laws governing online conduct in Nigeria.
Mariam Balogun is a contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, business, and public affairs.
