Olamide Thomas’ Bail Hearing Adjourned: Court to Decide on January 6

A Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned ruling on the bail application of Olamide Thomas, who is accused of issuing death threats to Seyi Tinubu and other prominent individuals via social media. The court, presided over by Justice Emeka Nwite, scheduled the ruling for January 6, 2025, following submissions made by both the defense and prosecution.

Olamide’s lawyer, T.J. Aondo, moved the bail application, requesting the court to grant her bail pending the hearing of the charges against her. He argued that the application, filed on December 20, was in accordance with the 1999 Constitution and the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015. Aondo assured the court that his client would not abscond if granted bail.

In response, Victor Okoye, representing the prosecution, filed a counter affidavit, urging the court to deny the bail request. Okoye argued that the exhibits attached to the application, including printouts from the internet, were not valid evidence under the Evidence Act, as they had not been certified by the National Library. He also pointed out that Thomas had not submitted a medical report to support her claim of ill-health.

Aondo countered Okoye’s arguments, emphasizing that the affidavit filed by the prosecution did not meet the necessary legal requirements and that the defendant’s ill-health should not be a determining factor in the bail decision. He further argued that the court should exercise its discretionary power to grant bail, regardless of the prosecution’s objections.

Justice Nwite adjourned the matter to January 6, 2025, for a ruling. He also indicated that the case file would be forwarded to the chief judge after his tenure as a vacation judge ends.

Thomas was arraigned on December 20, 2024, and remanded at Suleja Correctional Centre after pleading not guilty to three counts of cybercrime, including sending threatening messages to Seyi Tinubu, the Inspector-General of Police, and the Police Public Relations Officer. The charges are based on statements made in a video posted on social media, where Thomas allegedly threatened to harm Tinubu and other police officials.

The case remains under intense scrutiny as the court prepares to make a ruling on the bail application.