Activist Faces Court for Facebook Video Targeting Seyi Tinubu and Egbetokun
On December 20, 2024, the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the remand of activist Olamide Abiodun Thomas following her arraignment on charges of cyberbullying.
The charges stem from a Facebook video in which she allegedly made threatening remarks against Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, and Police Force spokesperson Muyiwa Adejobi.
In the video, Thomas purportedly stated that “Mr. Seyi Tinubu will die this year” and expressed similar threats towards the families of Egbetokun and Adejobi.
These statements led to her arrest in Lagos on December 13, 2024, after which she was transferred to Abuja for further interrogation by the National Cyber-Crime Centre of the Nigerian police and subsequent prosecution.
During the court proceedings, Thomas pleaded not guilty to the charges. Her counsel’s oral application for bail was denied by Justice Emeka Nwite, who directed that a formal bail application be submitted.
Consequently, Thomas was remanded in Suleja Correctional Centre, with the trial adjourned to December 30, 2024.
The charges against Thomas are based on the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024, which criminalizes the use of the internet to threaten or harass individuals.