Disc jockey and TikTok content creator Ademola Abiodun, popularly known as DJ Chicken, was arraigned on Friday before a magistrate’s court in Ogba, Lagos, on three criminal charges connected to a video in which he threatened to kill Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu.
The arraignment took place before Magistrate M.F. Onamusi. DJ Chicken faced charges bordering on threat to kill, conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace, and violations of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.
DJ Chicken’s Social Media Video Triggers Cybercrime Charges
The case originated from a video the disc jockey posted across his social media platforms while commenting on the 2027 presidential election. In the clip, which went viral, DJ Chicken spoke in Yoruba and said: “Tinubu, you can’t win the election. If you win, I will kill Seyi Tinubu. I won’t say more than that.”
The prosecution argued the video contained a direct threat to kill the president’s son, triggering charges under both the Criminal Law of Lagos State and the Cybercrime Act.
The first count states that DJ Chicken posted a video containing a threat to kill Seyi Tinubu through his social media accounts, contrary to Section 232 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015. The second count accuses him of transmitting a grossly offensive and menacing message via a computer network, contrary to Section 24 of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015. The third count alleges his conduct was likely to breach the peace and was intended to intimidate or embarrass Seyi Tinubu, contrary to Section 168(d) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
DJ Chicken pleaded not guilty to all three counts.
Bail Granted Despite Prosecution’s Resistance
Magistrate Onamusi granted DJ Chicken bail in the sum of N1 million with two sureties in a like sum. The court ordered that he be remanded at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre pending fulfillment of the bail conditions. The matter was adjourned until August 3, 2026, for further hearing.
His lawyer, Rotimi Stephen, confirmed the bail in a video posted to his Instagram page on Friday. Stephen said the process was difficult because the opposing party actively resisted granting bail given the profile of the complainant.
“This morning he was arraigned in court, the Magistrate Court at Ogba. We applied for his bail. Although it was very, very tough. The other party, they do not want him to be on bail because of who this case is against,” Stephen said.
He added that the court applied Section 115, Sub 2, of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law to grant the bail. Stephen said DJ Chicken had not yet been released as bail conditions were still being perfected but expected him out by Monday.
Stephen also acknowledged the public support his client received, saying supporters turned out at the court in significant numbers to show solidarity.
Lagos State Presses Ahead Despite DJ Chicken’s Retraction
After the original video drew backlash, DJ Chicken posted a second video walking back the remarks. He described them as a joke made to attract attention to his content and said he had no intention of harming Seyi Tinubu. He maintained the comments were part of his work as a content creator.
The Lagos State Government did not accept the retraction as sufficient and proceeded with the criminal charges. DJ Chicken is facing criminal charges over threats he allegedly made on social media, and the state has made its position clear. Threats posted online can attract criminal liability under state law and federal cybercrime legislation, regardless of how the speaker later explains the comments.
His case adds to a growing list of prosecutions in Nigeria built on social media posts. Law enforcement has moved against statements considered threatening or capable of disturbing public order, especially when the target is a prominent individual.
Prosecutors have repeatedly turned to the Cybercrime Act in these cases. The law’s electronic transmission clause has helped establish jurisdiction alongside standard criminal provisions.
The case returns to court on August 3, 2026.
