Court Reportedly Orders Nigerian Police To Arraign Detained Activist, Olamide Thomas, Within 48 Hours Or Release Her Unconditionally

Published

1 year ago

December 23, 2024

Thomas, who has been at the forefront of advocacy for civil liberties in Nigeria, filed the lawsuit after she claimed her rights were violated following how she was ‘abducted’ by the police in Lagos and subsequently taken to Abuja.

The ongoing fundamental rights case filed by Olamide Thomas, a female human rights activist, against the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has been adjourned to January 6, 2025.

The case, which was being heard at the Federal High Court in Abuja, before Justice Abdullahi Liman.

The legal action, filed under Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1892/V/2024, raises concerns over the unlawful arrest of Thomas’ uncle as a bait to apprehend her.

Represented by her counsel, S.M. Oyeghe, the applicant argued that the police’s actions are in direct violation of the Police Act and are an abuse of power.

According to the suit, Thomas’ uncle was detained unlawfully in a bid to coerce her surrender, a tactic the defence claims is improper and a breach of her fundamental rights.

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.

Meanwhile, Take It Back (TIB) Movement has condemned the continued detention of Thomas, demanding her immediate release.

IPOB group cancels sit at home on Nnamdi Kanu’s directive

Published

57 minutes ago

February 8, 2026

Ekwutos Blog

The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, says it has cancelled its sit at home order across the South East.

The group announced the decision in a statement on Saturday, saying it followed a directive from its detained leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

According to IPOB, Kanu instructed the leadership to suspend the action in the interest of peace and the return of normal economic activities in the region.

The group said the move is aimed at easing hardship on residents and allowing businesses, schools and other daily activities to run without disruption.

IPOB urged people in the South East to go about their lawful activities. It also reaffirmed its commitment to non violence and peaceful engagement.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DUfqBK9jJde/?igsh=MWV4bnB0YnZ6NnJscg==

Gunmen k!ll President General of Ogidi community and one other in Anambra.

Published

1 day ago

February 7, 2026

Ekwutos Blog

Unidentified gunmen, suspected to be cultists, have k!lled a community leader and one other person in Anambra State.

The President-General of Ogidi community in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, Ikwuka Okoye, popularly known as Anumili (pictured above), was k!lled on Friday, Feb. 6.

The attack was alleged to have been carried out by members of a rival cult group in revenge for the de@th of their leader, who was arrested and k!lled by local security operatives.

During the attack, which took place at the School Field, Ogidi, another man whose identity has yet to be ascertained was also gunned down.

The spokesman for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident in a press statement on Saturday.

Ikenga said the incident is allegedly linked to the recent capture and k!lling of a known notorious cultist within the community.

He said, “The Anambra State Police Command regrets the murd£r of the President-General of the Ogidi community and one other person. The incident, which occurred on the evening of February 6, 2026, at the School Field, Ogidi, is allegedly linked to the recent capture and k!lling of a known notorious cultist within the community.

“Following the report, police operatives swiftly took over the scene of the incident and commenced investigations. The command is currently working with eyewitness accounts and other available intelligence to identify and arrest the perpetrators.

“The Anambra State Police Command assures members of the public that all efforts are being intensified to bring those responsible to justice.

“Residents are urged to remain calm and cooperate with the police as investigations continue.

“Further developments will be communicated in due course.”

Police bust syndicate behind nude photo blackmail in Lagos

Published

2 days ago

February 6, 2026

Ekwutos Blog

Men of the Police Special Fraud Unit (PSFU), Lagos, have apprehended three suspects who allegedly run a cyber blackmail and extortion scheme in the state.

According to the spokesperson of the unit, DSP Ovie Ewhubare, the suspects get a hold of their victims explicit photos and then threaten to release them if a ransom is not paid.

He said that the suspects, two males and a female, were apprehended after a petition was filed by a complainant who reported being repeatedly threatened by unknown individuals demanding money.

“The complainant received several phone calls in which the callers threatened to release her nude photographs to the public if she failed to pay them. Acting out of fear and emotional distress, she transferred money to the suspects.

The situation escalated when the suspects demanded an additional N10 million, prompting her to formally petition the police,” he said

The police imagemaker state dthat upon receipt of the complaint, the Commissioner of Police, PSFU, Mr Kayode Ojapinwa, ordered the immediate deployment of operatives to investigate the matter.

“The investigation led to the arrest of the three suspects. Investigations revealed that one of the suspects gained unlawful access to the complainant’s mobile device and fraudulently transferred her nude photographs to his own device. Further findings indicated that he conspired with the other suspects and other accomplices currently at large to demand and receive money from the complainant in several tranches,” he said

According to him, the suspects are currently in police custody and are expected to be arraigned before a court of competent jurisdiction.

The image maker said that investigations were ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the syndicate and to recover all proceeds of the alleged crime.