The Nigerian police have charged prominent human rights activist, Olamide Abiodun Thomas, with three criminal offences over her alleged social media comments about President Bola Tinubu’s son, Seyi, and top police officials.
The charges, filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, accuse Thomas of violating the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act of 2024. The police allege that Thomas’s comments, which went viral on social media, contained threats and defamatory statements aimed at Seyi Tinubu, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun, and Police Public Relations Officer Muyiwa Adejobi.
The court, presided over by Justice Emeka Nwite, ordered Thomas to be remanded in prison pending a formal bail application. She is currently held at the Suleja Custodial Centre of the Nigerian Correctional Service.
One of the charges against Thomas alleges that she made a video in Yoruba, wishing harm upon Seyi Tinubu and predicting calamities for the Tinubu family.
The first count reads, “That you, Olamide Abiodun Thomas, in 2024, did knowingly and intentionally transmit a video via social media in which you stated that Seyi Tinubu would die this year, intending to bully, threaten, and harass him.”
It further states that her actions were aimed at causing fear of death, violence, or bodily harm. This, the charge claims, violates Section 24 (2)(a) of the Cybercrimes Act.
Another count accuses her of threatening IGP Kayode Egbetokun in a similar manner.
The third count alleges that she used derogatory language against Police PRO Muyiwa Adejobi, also via social media.
Thomas was arrested last week and has been in police custody since.
Her arraignment before Justice Nwite on Friday was marked by a heated courtroom session. Lawyers representing Thomas made an oral bail application, but Justice Nwite declined, stating that a formal bail request must be submitted.
One of Thomas’s supporters, who was present at the hearing, expressed frustration with the process. “Justice Nwite refused her bail and sent her to Suleja prison. We were told to come back with a formal bail application,” the supporter said.
The court case, with suit number F/HE/ARS/CR/636/2024, lists the Inspector General of Police as the complainant.
The charges against Thomas have drawn sharp criticism from human rights organisations.
The Take It Back (TIB) Movement condemned her arrest and detention, describing it as a “repression of free speech.” The group demanded her immediate release, arguing that the charges were politically motivated.
A spokesperson for the TIB Movement stated, “The Nigerian government has once again shown its intolerance for dissent. Olamide Thomas is being persecuted for exercising her right to free speech. This is an affront to democracy.”
Social media has also erupted with debates about the case, with some accusing the government of using the Cybercrimes Act to silence critics. Others argue that Thomas’s comments crossed the line and warranted legal action.
The Cybercrimes Act, enacted to address online criminal activities, has increasingly been used in Nigeria to prosecute individuals over social media posts.
Section 24 of the Act criminalises sending messages that intimidate, threaten, or harass others using electronic communication.
Critics of the Act argue that its broad language allows it to be weaponised against activists and journalists.
