From Godwin Tsa, Abuja
The Abuja division of the Federal High Court has granted a N10 million bail bond to Olamide Thomas, who allegedly threatened Seyi Tinubu and the Inspector-General (I-G) of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, with a death threat on social media. In addition, the court ordered her to provide one surety in like sum.
Justice Emeka Nwite, in his ruling yesterday, said the prosecution counsel failed to furnish the court with concrete evidence that the defendant would jump bail. The judge said: “I have carefully examined the affidavit evidence of both the defendant and the complainant.”
Justice Nwite held that where the accused person would not jump bail or interfere with the trial, it is in the interest of justice for the court to grant the bail request. The judge, who ordered the surety to depose to an affidavit of means, also directed the surety to present a three-year tax clearance certificate.
In addition, the court said that the surety must reside within the jurisdiction of the court.
Justice Nwite equally ordered the defendant and the surety to deposit two recent passport photographs with the registrar of the court, and the address of the surety should be verified.
The judge consequently adjourned the matter until February 18 for trial.
Thomas was arrested on allegations of harassing and threatening Seyi Tinubu, I-G Kayode Egbetokun, and the Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, in a viral social media post.
In the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/636/2024, dated and filed on December 18 by the police team of lawyers led by A.A. Egwu, Olamide was sued as the sole defendant.
The prosecution had alleged in count one that Olamide had, sometime in 2024, knowingly and intentionally transmitted communication in the form of a video recording through a computer system or network on her social media platforms wherein she made remarks in Yoruba language.
In the video, she was alleged to have stated “that Mr Seyi Tinubu would die this year, and misfortune and calamity had befallen the Tinubu family, with intent to bully, threaten, and harass the person of Mr Seyi Tinubu.”
The communication was said to have placed Seyi in fear of death, violence, or bodily harm.
The offence, according to the prosecution, is contrary to and punishable under Section 24 (2)(a) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024.
In count two, the defendant was alleged to have intentionally transmitted communication in the form of a video recording wherein she made remarks in Yoruba language to bully, threaten, and harass the person of Mr Egbetokun.
The communication was said to have placed Egbetokun in fear of death, violence, or bodily harm.
The offence is contrary to and punishable under Section 24 (2)(a) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024.
In count three, Olamide was accused of intentionally transmitting or causing the transmission of communication in the form of a video recording wherein she made remarks in Yoruba language, stating that the children of Adejobi would all die before his eyes.
She was quoted to have also said that “he (Adejobi) will bury all his children in a single day, with intent to bully, threaten, and harass the person of Mr Muyiwa Adejobi.”
The communication was said to have placed Adejobi in fear of death of his loved ones.
The offence is said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 24 (2)(a) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024.
When the matter was called on Monday, Thomas, who was in court, was represented by a lawyer, Seprebofa Oyeghe.
Before Monday’s proceedings, the court on December 31 adjourned the matter for ruling after T.J. Aondo (SAN), who appeared for Thomas, and prosecution counsel, Victor Okoye, made their submissions for and against the bail application.
Thomas was, on December 20, arraigned and remanded at Suleja Correctional Centre after she pleaded not guilty to the three-count charge preferred against her by the Inspector-General (I-G) of Police.