Olamide Thomas was arrested after a rally to commemorate the fourth anniversary of #EndSARS at the Lekki Tollgate in Lagos
By Kehinde Okeowo
A Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday remanded activist and nurse, Olamide Thomas in custody for allegedly threatening Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu, and top police officials.
She was arraigned by the office of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, before Justice Emeka Nwite on three-count charge of cyberbullying.
In the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/636/2024 dated and filed on Dec 18 by the police team of lawyers led by A.A. Egwu, Olamide was sued as sole defendant.
Upon resumed sitting, Victor Okoye, who appeared for the police, told the court that the matter was fixed for arraignment, adding that he was ready to proceed.
After the counts were read to the defendant, she pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The defence lawyer, T J. Aondo, SAN, then sought to move an oral application on his client’s behalf but the request was turned down by the judge.
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Thomas’s charges stem from allegations that she made inflammatory statements in a video shared on social media. In the clip, she allegedly said, “Mr Seyi Tinubu will die this year.”
The first count of the charge alleges that Thomas knowingly transmitted the video, which “places the said Mr Seyi Tinubu in fear of death, violence or bodily harm,” contrary to Section 24(2)(a) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024.
In the second count, she was accused of threatening and bullying Kayode Egbetokun, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), in the same video.
The third count accused her of making statements about Muyiwa Adejobi, the police spokesperson, saying his children would die before his eyes.
The case was adjourned to December 30 for trial.
Police reportedly arrested Thomas in Lagos on December 13 after she allegedly recorded a contentious video during a rally to commemorate the fourth anniversary of #EndSARS at the Lekki Tollgate in Lagos on October 20.
She was subsequently transferred from Lagos to Abuja, where the charges were filed against her.