Rita Odafe
Woman Granted N10 Million Bail for Social Media Allegations
The Federal High Court in Abuja has approved a bail of N10 million for Olamide Thomas, a Nigerian woman accused of insulting President Bola Tinubu’s son, Seyi, as well as senior police figures including Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun and Police Public Relations Officer Muyiwa Adejobi through a social media post.
During the bail hearing, Justice Emeka Nwite stated that Thomas must also secure one surety for the same amount.
In his ruling, the judge pointed out that the prosecution had failed to provide substantial evidence suggesting that Thomas would evade bail.
“I have carefully examined the affidavit evidence of both the defendant and the complainant,” said Justice Nwite.
Justice Nwite emphasized that if reasonable assurance is given that the accused will not abscond or disrupt the legal process, granting bail aligns with the interests of justice. He further instructed the surety to submit an affidavit proving their financial capability and a recent three-year tax clearance certificate.
The surety is required to live within the court’s jurisdiction.
Additionally, the judge ordered both Thomas and the surety to provide two up-to-date passport-sized photographs to the court registrar and mandated that the surety’s address must be verified.
The trial has been set to reconvene on February 18. Previously, Justice Nwite had postponed the ruling following submissions made by Thomas’s lawyer, T.J. Aondo, and the prosecution’s counsel, Victor Okoye. Thomas had been arraigned and detained at Suleja Correctional Centre on December 20 after pleading not guilty to three charges filed against her by the Inspector-General of Police.
Thomas’s arrest stemmed from accusations of harassment and threats directed at Seyi Tinubu, I-G Kayode Egbetokun, and Muyiwa Adejobi, prompted by her viral post on social media.
