The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the remand of activist and nurse, Olamide Abiodun Thomas, on charges of cyberbullying Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu, and top police officials.
Thomas was arrested in Lagos on December 13 and transferred to Abuja. She was arraigned on December 20 and pleaded not guilty to the charges. The police accuse her of posting a Facebook video in Yoruba where she allegedly said, “Seyi Tinubu will die this year” and claimed misfortune had befallen the Tinubu family.
The first count charge 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….”
She is also accused of threatening Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun and making a statement that the children of Force Public Relations Officer Muyiwa Adejobi would “die in front of him.” The charges were filed under Section 24(2)(a) of the Cybercrimes Act. The police said her remarks were intended to threaten, harass, and bully her targets.
Justice Emeka Nwite denied her lawyer’s oral bail application and directed them to file a formal request. The case was adjourned to December 30. Thomas will remain in custody until then.
Thomas has been an outspoken critic of police misconduct since the 2020 #EndSARS protests. She was arrested during the October 20 rally at Lekki tollgate, marking the protest’s fourth anniversary. She later alleged that police officers brutalised her, stole her money, and destroyed her phone.
After her release, she recorded the controversial video, which went viral and led to her arrest. In November, Thomas claimed that ACP Muyiwa Adejobi had targeted her because of her critical social media posts. She said Adejobi accused her of bullying Nigerians and ordered her arrest through the Intelligence Response Team.
In a separate development, a DJ identified as Ifeoluwa, also known as Seaking, was reportedly picked up by security agents after a viral video showed him hurling insults at President Tinubu, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and other politicians.
These incidents point to a growing trend of Nigerians being arrested over comments critical of the government. Similarly, activist and lawyer Dele Farotimi was recently detained over defamation charges. Farotimi, known for his book on judicial corruption in Nigeria, was granted bail on December 20 under strict conditions. Many worry that these arrests signal a shrinking space for free speech in Nigeria, despite President Tinubu’s earlier promises to uphold citizens’ rights.
Read More: Nigeria’s Security Agencies Under Tinubu Regime Unlawfully Arrest 17 Journalists, 87 Citizens In 2024
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