A Federal High Court in Abuja has remanded Olamide Thomas, an activist accused of making controversial social media comments about Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu.
During Friday’s proceedings, Justice Emeka Nwite rejected an oral bail application from Thomas’ legal counsel, instructing them to submit a formal application instead.
Thomas, arraigned on a three-count charge of cyberbullying, pleaded not guilty to the allegations.
The charges stem from a video she allegedly posted online, in which she stated that “Mr. Seyi Tinubu will die this year.”
The first count 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.”
In the second count, the police accused Thomas of threatening and bullying the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, in the said video.
In the third count, the police accused the activist of saying that the children of the force spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, would die before his eyes.
The trial judge adjourned the case to December 30 for trial.
Thomas, an activist and nurse, was arrested on December 13 in Lagos over allegations of cyberbullying.
The controversial video was recorded on October 20, 2024, during a rally at the Lekki Tollgate to commemorate the fourth anniversary of the #EndSARS protests.
Following her arrest, Thomas was transferred from Lagos to Abuja.
