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.
