LAGOS — Controversial Nigerian content creator DJ Chicken has been remanded at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre in Lagos after being arraigned for allegedly threatening the life of Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu.
The Magistrate Court sitting in Ogba on Friday ordered his remand pending the fulfillment of stringent bail conditions, after he pleaded not guilty to three counts.
DJ Chicken, whose real name is Azubuike Nnamdi, was arraigned on a three-count charge bordering on violation of the Cybercrimes Act, breach of public peace, and making threats to kill.
The charges stemmed from a viral video that circulated online in which the creator claimed that President Tinubu would not win re-election in 2027 and made remarks that authorities interpreted as a threat toward Seyi Tinubu.
Following public backlash, DJ Chicken released another video retracting the statement. He said it was meant as a joke to gain popularity and apologized to the Tinubu family.
Despite the apology and retraction, security agencies moved to arrest him. Prosecutors argued that online threats, even when framed as jokes, can incite panic and violate Nigeria’s cyber law
Magistrate E.K. Ogunkanmi granted him bail in the sum of ₦1 million. The court also imposed strict surety conditions: two sureties in like sum.
One surety must be a civil servant, and the other must be a community leader with landed property in Lagos State. Both are required to provide
Because the bail conditions were not met immediately in court, the magistrate ordered that DJ Chicken be remanded at Kirikiri Correctional Centre until they are fulfilled.
DJ Chicken rose to prominence as a skit maker and nightlife personality known for controversial, attention-grabbing content. He often posts videos that blend comedy, music, and political commentary, and has built a large following across TikTok, Instagram, and X.
He is no stranger to controversy. In the past, he has faced criticism for stunts and statements that many described as crossing the line. This latest case, however, is the first time he is facing criminal prosecution.
The arrest and arraignment highlight how seriously Nigerian authorities are treating online speech in 2026, especially speech directed at public officials and their families.
The Cybercrimes Act, 2015, criminalizes the transmission of messages that are threatening, false, or capable of causing a breakdown of law and order. Prosecutors have increasingly used it against influencers, bloggers, and comedians whose posts go viral.
Legal experts say the case will test where the line falls between free expression, satire, and criminal threat.
“Joking or not, once a statement targets a specific person and suggests violence, the law can step in,” one Lagos-based lawyer noted. “The court will have to decide if this was hyperbole or a genuine threat.
Some Nigerians supported the move, arguing that public figures’ children should not be targets of threats, and that online creators must be held accountable for their words.
Others criticized it as an overreach, saying the creator had already apologized and that jail time for a “joke” sets a dangerous precedent for free speech.
On social media, hashtags both supporting and condemning DJ Chicken trended for hours after news of the remand broke. Many commenters also debated the bail conditions, calling them unusually strict for a first-time cybercrime charge.
The context of political speech ahead of 2027
The case comes as political conversations around the 2027 general elections begin to heat up. Seyi Tinubu has become a prominent public figure in his own right, often appearing at youth and political events.
Any comment about him, especially one linked to elections or violence, is likely to draw scrutiny. Security agencies have said they will not tolerate threats against the President’s family or other public officials, regardless of the platform.
DJ Chicken’s initial video referenced the 2027 election, which prosecutors cited as part of the reason for treating the matter as more than just online banter
For now, DJ Chicken remains in Kirikiri pending bail. His legal team is expected to work to produce the required sureties before the next court date.
If he meets the bail conditions, he will be released and required to attend all future hearings. If convicted, the Cybercrimes Act provides for fines and possible imprisonment, depending on the section under which he is found guilty.
The court will also determine whether his retraction video and public apology will be considered as mitigating fact
The case sends a clear message to Nigeria’s growing community of content creators: virality does not excuse liability.
As online platforms become the main space for political debate and comedy, the boundary between “content” and “crime” is being drawn more sharply by the courts.
DJ Chicken built his brand on saying outrageous things for laughs. This time, the joke landed him in Kirikiri.
Whether he walks out on bail in the coming days or spends more time in detention will depend on his ability to meet the court’s conditions. The larger question — about speech, jokes, and consequences in the digital age — will be decided in court on August 3.
