Nigerian human rights activist and legal expert Chidi Odinkalu has taken to social media to condemn the ongoing incarceration of Olamide Thomas, calling it “a brazen act of abuse of power and civic intimidation.”
Odinkalu’s statement came on Thomas’s birthday, as he joined the growing chorus of voices demanding her release.
Thomas has been accused of cyberbullying and intimidating the son of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Seyi Tinubu, an allegation Odinkalu labeled as “transparent nonsense.” He went on to decry the situation as a miscarriage of justice and urged for the immediate release of Thomas, using the hashtag #FreeOlamide.
“Today is the #birthday of Ms. Olamide Thomas. Her incarceration is a brazen act of #AbuseOfPower & civic intimidation.
“The idea that this poor woman is #CyberBullying or intimidating the powerful son of a powerful president is transparent nonsense. #FreeOlamide”
Report had earlier revealed that a Federal High Court in Abuja had adjourned the fundamental rights case filed by Olamide Thomas against Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun until January 6, 2025. Thomas, known for her advocacy of civil liberties in Nigeria, filed the lawsuit after the Nigerian police violate her rights during her ‘abduction’ in Lagos.
Her legal counsel, S.M. Oyeghe, argued that police actions have violated the Police Act and amounted to an abuse of power. The defence claims that the arrest and detention of Thomas’ uncle to coerce her surrender is unlawful and a direct violation of her fundamental rights.
The suit contends that such tactics not only infringe on individual rights but also undermine the very principles of justice and due process.
Oyeghe told SaharaReporters on Monday that they had earlier filed a fundamental rights suit against the IGP, Nigeria Police Force, and the Head of Cybercrime over the unlawful arrest and detention of Olamide Thomas.
“We equally filed and exparte application for her bail or production,” he added.
The ruling delivered on the motion ex parte for bail is as follows: “The arrest of the applicant’s uncle in place of the applicant as a bait to capture her was improper, unlawful, and a violation of the Police Act.
“The FREP Rules and the Police Act provide for interim orders.
“The detention time limit is 24 or 48 hours. Any detention beyond the specified time would constitute a violation of the Constitution.
“The respondent is ordered to arraign the applicant within 48 hours or release her unconditionally.”
However, the fundamental rights suit before Justice Liman is scheduled for January 6, 2025.
Meanwhile, the criminal case is scheduled for hearing on December 30.
The Nigerian police on Friday arraigned Olamide Thomas on three criminal charges at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The charges centre on allegations that Olamide Thomas insulted the President Bola Tinubu’s son, Seyi and top police officials, including Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun and Police Public Relations Officer Muyiwa Adejobi, in a viral social media post.
The case, with suit number F/HE/ARS/CR/636/2024, lists the Inspector General of Police as the complainant.
Presiding over the matter, Justice Emeka Nwite ordered Olamide to be remanded in prison following her arraignment on Friday.
The activist was arrested over a week ago and has since been in police custody.
One of the counts reads, “That you OLAMIDE ABIODUN THOMAS ‘F’, sometime in 2024, in the Federal Republic of Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did knowingly and intentionally transmit or cause the transmission of communication in the form of video recording through computer system or network on your Social media platforms wherein you made remarks in Yoruba language stating that Mr. Seyi Tinubu will die this year, and misfortune and calamity has befallen the Tinubu family, with intent to bully, threaten, harass the person of Mr. Seyi Tinubu, where such communication places the said Mr. Seyi Tinubu in fear of death, violence or bodily harm and you thereby commit an offence contrary to and punishable under section 24 (2) (a) Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024.”
Count 2 reads, “That you OLAMIDE ABIODUN THOMAS ‘F’, sometime in 2024, in the Federal Republic of Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did knowingly and intentionally transmit or cause the transmission of communication in the form of video recording through computer system or network on your Social media platforms wherein you made remarks in Yoruba Language to bully, threaten, harass the person of Mr. Kayode Egbetokun where such communication places the said Mr Kayode Egbetokun in fear of death, violence or bodily harm and you therefore commit an offence contrary to and punishable under section 24(2) (a) Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention Etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024.”
The third count accused her of also insulting Adejobi.
SaharaReporters gathered that Justice Nwite after the charges were read denied her bail, insisting that her lawyers should bring formal bail application before court.
“Justice Nwite rejected our oral application for her bail. She is sent to Suleja prison and said that our lawyers should apply for bail and come back,” an activist told SaharaReporters shortly after the court proceeding.
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