The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to Olamide Thomas, a woman accused of threatening Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu, as well as the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi.
According to The PUNCH, Justice Emeka Nwite on Monday approved bail for Thomas on conditions including ₦10 million and a surety of the same amount.
Thomas, who had been in custody since her arraignment on December 20, faces three counts under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2024, for allegedly transmitting threats through social media.
Prosecutors allege that Thomas, in a video shared online, declared in Yoruba that “Mr. Seyi Tinubu would die this year” and that “misfortune and calamity had befallen the Tinubu family.” These statements, according to the prosecution, were intended to intimidate, threaten, and harass Tinubu, instilling fear of death or harm.
The second charge accuses her of threatening Inspector-General Egbetokun through similar means, while the third pertains to alleged threats against Adejobi, in which Thomas reportedly stated that “the children of Adejobi would all die before his eyes” and that “he (Adejobi) will bury all his children in a single day.”
Thomas pleaded not guilty to all charges during her arraignment and has been held at the Suleja Correctional Centre since then.
Justice Nwite, delivering the ruling in the defendant’s absence but represented by her counsel Seprebofa Oyeghe, stated that there was no evidence suggesting Thomas posed a flight risk or would interfere with the trial.
“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 of the applicant,” Justice Nwite ruled.
The court stipulated that the surety must provide a sworn affidavit of means, three years’ tax clearance, reside within the court’s jurisdiction, and deposit two recent passport photographs with the registrar. The surety’s address will also be verified.
“I have carefully examined the affidavit evidence of both the defendant and the complainant and hold that there is no concrete evidence placed before me that the defendant will jump bail,” Nwite added.
The court has adjourned the trial to February 18, 2025.
