Agency Report

A Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday, admitted Olamide Thomas, who allegedly threatened Seyi Tinubu and the Inspector-General (I-G) of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, with death threat on social media, to a N10 million with one surety in like sum.

Justice Emeka Nwite, in a ruling on Thomas’ bail application, said there was no concrete evidence placed before the court by the prosecution that the defendant would jump bail.

“I have carefully examined the affidavit evidence of both the defendant and the complainant,” he said.

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 affidavit of means, also directed the surety to present three years tax clearance certificate.
He 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 Feb. 18 for trial.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Justice Nwite had, on Dec. 31, adjourned the matter for ruling after T.J. Aondo, who appeared for Thomas, and lawyer to the prosecution, Victor Okoye, made their submissions for and against the bail application.

NAN reports that Thomas was, on Dec. 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.
Thomas was arrested on allegations bordering on harassing and threatening Seyi Tinubu; the 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 Dec 18 by the police team of lawyers led by A.A. Egwu, Olamide was sued as sole defendant.

NAN reports that in count one, Olamide was alleged to have, sometime in 2024, knowingly and intentionally transmitted communication in the form of video recording through 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, 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 is contrary to and punishable under Section 24 (2) (a) of Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024.
In count two, the defendant was alleged to have intentionally transmitted communication in the form of video recording wherein she made remarks in Yoruba Language to bully, threaten, 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 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 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, 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 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.(NAN)

Despite ongoing security challenges in the southeast, including the weekly Monday sit-at-home, Igbo leaders and stakeholders failed to raise the issue of Nnamdi Kanu’s release at a Town Hall meeting with President Bola Tinubu over the weekend.

The meeting, which many expected to provide an opportunity to address Kanu’s continued detention, saw no mention of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and his incarceration.

This silence is at odds with the expectations of many in Igbo land, who hoped that the event would allow for a public statement on Kanu’s situation.

Numerous Igbo leaders believe that the release of Kanu, who has been detained since 2021, is crucial to restoring security and peace in the region.

While many have personally visited him in detention, others have independently appealed to President Tinubu for his release.

Just a day after assuming office as the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo two weeks ago, Nze Fidelis Ozichukwu had urged Tinubu to release Kanu in order to end insecurity in the South-East.

Additionally, during the last meeting of the South-East Governors Forum in Enugu late last year, a resolution was made to meet with President Tinubu to advocate for Kanu’s release.

However, during the town hall event attended by governors, political leaders, traditional rulers, and Christian leaders in Enugu, no mention was made of Kanu’s imprisonment or its effects on the region.

The town hall coincided with President Tinubu’s one-day working visit to Enugu State, where he inaugurated projects executed by Governor Peter Mbah’s administration.

The event was attended by several prominent Igbo figures, including Abia State Governor Alex Otti, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kanu, Senators, Minister of Works Dave Umahi, and Obi of Onitsha, Nnaemeka Achebe.

In his speech, former Minister of Power Prof. Chinedu Nebo praised the Tinubu administration for completing the Port Harcourt to Aba section of the Eastern rail line.

He urged the President to prioritise completing the remaining portions of the rail link, highlighting its potential to boost Nigeria’s non-oil exports and overall economic growth.

Enugu indigene Chris Ugoh also spoke, emphasizing the potential of the Anambra River Basin for power generation and industrial feedstocks.

He called on the federal government to develop this resource to benefit the South-East and other regions, including the Middle Belt and the North.

On the security front, Onyemuche Nnamani, National Commissioner representing the South-East in the Police Service Commission, recommended that the federal government adopt modern security strategies for the region.

He pointed to the successful statewide CCTV system and patrol cars with surveillance cameras in Enugu State. Nnamani also urged the de-emphasis of checkpoints and roadblocks, stating, “It is inefficient and exposes our security personnel to attacks by non-state actors.”

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The video

The Nigeria Police Force in Ebonyi State has arrested 17 individuals in connection with the brutal killing of Uromchi Okorocha, who was accused of using witchcraft to cause deaths in the Enohia Itim village, Afikpo Local Government Area.

The arrest occurred on January 3, 2025, after the suspects mobilized to apprehend Okorocha and set him on fire before police arrived on the scene.

According to Police Public Relations Officer Muyiwa Adejobi, the suspects took the law into their own hands, bypassing legal authorities to execute what they deemed as justice.

The police arrived too late to prevent the mob from killing and burning Okorocha.

In a separate operation in Imo State, police operatives engaged in a gun battle with kidnappers in the Ohaji Local Government Area on January 4, resulting in the death of two suspects and the rescue of four hostages.

The operatives also recovered weapons, including an AK-47 rifle and ammunition, from the kidnappers’ hideout.

Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, condemned the act of jungle justice and reiterated the importance of relying on the rule of law and police authority for justice.

He assured the public that the force remains committed to public safety and tackling violent crimes.