TikToker IyaGhana Granted Bail After Arrest Over Viral Extortion Video

The Oyo State Police Command has granted administrative bail to a popular TikToker, Ogunjimi Florence, widely known as IyaGhana, following her arrest earlier this week over allegations of cybercrime.

Her release on Friday came after intervention by the Oyo State Chairman of the African Action Congress (AAC), Kayode Babayomi, and activist Ismaeel Ogunsola, who engaged with the state Commissioner of Police to secure her freedom.

Florence was taken into custody after posting a viral video on TikTok in which she accused police officers of extorting young travellers along the Eruwa Igboora road. In the footage, she questioned whether the officers were receiving their salaries, implying that the alleged extortion could be linked to welfare concerns.

According to Babayomi, the TikToker was initially detained at the Area Command in Eruwa on Tuesday, February 17, before being transferred to the Force Headquarters in Eleyele, Ibadan.

“She was arrested on allegations of cybercrime for making and posting a video on TikTok in which she accused the Oyo State police of extortion and harassment of young people,” Babayomi said in a statement on Friday.

“In the viral video, IyaGhana rhetorically questioned if the police officers are not being paid their salaries, asking if this was the reason for their ongoing extortion efforts.”

He noted that rather than investigating the police unit implicated in the video, the TikToker was promptly arrested and detained.

Following discussions between AAC representatives and police authorities on Thursday, Florence was granted administrative bail. She has been asked to return to the police station for further proceedings as the case is expected to be formally charged in court.

In its statement, the AAC criticised the arrest, describing it as part of a troubling pattern of persecution against citizens who speak out against alleged misconduct by security agents. The party called on the police to investigate the substance of the claims made in the video and take steps to address any proven cases of extortion within its ranks.

“Everything IyaGhana mentioned in her viral video reflects the truth and daily reality of people in her community and across Nigeria,” Babayomi added.

“The police should redirect their efforts from persecuting individuals like her to investigating and retraining their officers, as well as combating crime throughout the state.”