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

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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.

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 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.

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Police denies alleged kidnap of 100 worshippers in Kaduna community

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Police in Kaduna State has denied the abduction of over 100 worshippers at Kajuru in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The state Police Commissioner, Alhaji Muhammad Rabiu, while addressing newsmen after the State Security Council meeting described the report as “mere falsehood peddled by conflict entrepreneurs,” that want to cause chaos in the state.

He challenged anyone to list the names of the kidnapped victims and other particulars.

The commissioner of Police warned rumor mongers to desist from trying to derail the prevailing peace in the state, threatening to unleash the full wrath of the law on such merchants of falsehood.

The Chairman of Kajuru local government, Dauda Madaki, while condemning the false report, explained that when he heard the rumour of the attack, they mobilized police and other security forces to the area, Kurmin Wali, but found out that there was no attack.

According to him, “We visited the church where the so called kidnap took place, there was no evidence of the attack. I asked the village head, Mai Dan Zaria, and he said that there was no such attack.”

He added that he also called the youth leader of the area, Bernard Bona who was interviewed by pressmen that accompanied him, refuting that no such thing happened.

The chairman challenged anyone to name the people that were kidnapped, saying, “I have been waiting for this list and no one has come forward with any name.”

He alleged that the rumor of the kidnap is being sponsored by people who are not happy with the relative peace that Kajuru has been enjoying since the coming of the present administration.

He advised the people of the area to remain calm and go about their lawful businesses, stressing that they should report any suspicious movements and rumour mongers to security agents.

The Commissioner of Internal Security and Home, Sule Shauibu (SAN), explained that the CAN chairman and other religious leaders have interacted with the people of the area where the so-called kidnap occurred, saying that they found out that what was pushed out to the public was completely false.

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Man Calls Out Babalowo ‘Ifayemi’ Who Allegedly Did ‘Money Ritual for Destiny Boy (Video)

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A Nigerian man has sparked widespread reactions online after publicly calling out a Babalawo identified as Ifayemi over claims linked to the death of late Afrofuji singer Destiny Boy.

In an emotional outburst that has continued to circulate on social media, the man accused the spiritualist of giving the young singer juju he described as “too much” for his age.

Speaking passionately, the man said he is still struggling to come to terms with the singer’s death.

“Ifayemi, I have not accepted that Destiny Boy is dead. If it is true, then you are one of those who killed him. What you gave him was too much,” he said.

He alleged that many young people are dying prematurely because some Babalawos give them rituals their ages cannot handle.

The man also questioned how Destiny Boy allegedly afforded a “N30 million plus car” despite claims that he was not financially buoyant.

In his words:

“Ifayemi, I have not accepted that Destiny Boy is dead. If it is true, then you are one of those who killed him. What you gave him was too much.

They said he only did ‘IFA’, and shortly after that, he went to buy a ‘N30 million plus car’. If someone does ‘IFA’, does that mean the person wants to do money ritual? ‘IFA’ does not make one rich. When you do ‘IFA’, it is your family curses that will be washed away, but that does not mean you will have money.

After that, they will ask you what you want. Do you want money? That is when they now do rituals for you. The type of ritual you ask for is what they will do for you. But ‘IFA’ and money ritual are two different things.

If you went ahead to do something heavy, you must have passed a certain age. These days, youth deaths are becoming common because what babalawos are giving young people is too much for their age.

Ifayemi, if they later bury that boy, it is you that killed him. The juju you gave that boy was too much. They said Destiny Boy did not have money, yet he was using a ‘N30 million plus car’. How much was he even getting from his shows?

My father is also a babalawo. If you go to meet my father and say you want to do ritual, the first thing he will ask is your age. If you say you are 20 or 30-something, he will tell you he cannot do it for you because untimely death is the consequence from ‘Ajonu’, and it will beat them to death.

Can’t you see that it is accidents killing most of them? It is only this one that died while drying up alive.

Someone told me just last night that he wanted to release a new album and asked me to help promote it. I told him we should talk this morning, and now today he is dead. Me, I have not accepted that this boy is dead o.”

See below;

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DTq3SCWkrqG/?igsh=MWUxODM2azF4ajM5Yg==

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Man Breaks Down In Tears After Losing His Life Savings To Sports Betting (Video)

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A man has been left devastated after losing his savings to a failed football bet involving the Manchester City versus Manchester United.

According to reports, the man had confidently staked a large amount of money on Manchester City to defeat Manchester United.

However, the match did not go as expected, and the loss left him emotionally shattered.

In video trending on social media, the man was seeing shading tears while still at the bet shop after he had lost a huge chunk of his money.

X user,@general_somto said …

“He placed a huge bet using his savings On Manchester City to beat Manchester United and was very confident of winning. Manchester City lost, and he ended up in tears. he’s been crying ever since.”

Check out reactions below …
@tuyungNG said: “Him never hear “stake what you can afford to lose” before ?”

@mrboboskie remarked: “Don’t gamble they won’t listen, but if you must gamble, gamble with what you can afford to lose. Poor man wants to make it big”

@profff09 wrote: “The voice in the background is telling the man crying to find him small money 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂… This is absolute”

@Stazingar wrote: “Gambling is a slow bleed. The house gives you a few initial wins to get you hooked and then wreck you down”

@Nigermouthpiece stated: “Crying over a bet you could never afford is pure irresponsibility. Confidence isn’t wisdom, and gambling your savings isn’t courage, it’s self-inflicted pain.”

Watch video below …

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