Court Orders Police to Release or Arraign Activist Olamide Thomas Within 48 Hours
The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Nigeria Police Force to either arraign human rights activist, Olamide Thomas, within 48 hours or release her unconditionally. Justice Abdullahi Liman issued this directive during a hearing on a fundamental rights suit filed by Olamide Thomas against the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, the Nigeria Police Force, and the Head of Cybercrime.
The court emphasised that Thomas’ detention beyond the legally permitted timeframe violated her fundamental rights.
“The arrest of the applicant’s uncle in place of the applicant, as 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, limiting detention to 24 or 48 hours. Any detention beyond this constitutes a violation of the Constitution,” the court ruled.
Thomas’ counsel, S.M. Oyeghe, argued that the police’s actions, including using her uncle to lure her into custody, were an abuse of power and a contravention of the Police Act. Justice Liman adjourned the case to January 6, 2025, for further hearing.
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The activist had earlier been arrested on Friday and arraigned at the Federal High Court in Abuja on three criminal charges. The charges stemmed from her social media posts, where she allegedly insulted President Bola Tinubu’s son, Seyi Tinubu, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, and Police Public Relations Officer Muyiwa Adejobi.
One of the charges read: “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 communication in the form of a video recording through a 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 has befallen the Tinubu family, with intent to bully, threaten, or harass the person of Mr. Seyi Tinubu. This act places him in fear of death, violence, or bodily harm and is an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 24(2)(a) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024.”
Despite her counsel’s oral application for bail, Justice Emeka Nwite, who presided over her criminal arraignment, ordered her remand in prison custody. The hearing for the criminal case has been scheduled for December 30, 2024.
Thomas’ case has sparked conversations around police procedures and fundamental rights, with growing calls for adherence to constitutional provisions in matters of detention and arraignment.
