Olamide Thomas granted N10M bail for insulting Seyi Tinubu, IGP

The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to Olamide Thomas, a Nigerian woman accused of insulting Seyi Tinubu, the son of President Bola Tinubu, and top police officials in a viral Facebook post.

Justice Emeka Nwite ruled that Thomas be released on a N10 million bail, with one surety in like sum.

Delivering the judgment, Justice Nwite stated that the prosecution failed to provide concrete evidence that Thomas might abscond if granted bail.

“I have carefully examined the affidavit evidence of both the defendant and the complainant,” he said, emphasizing that granting bail was in the interest of justice as long as the accused would not interfere with the trial.

The court also stipulated conditions for the surety, including a three-year tax clearance certificate, an affidavit of means, and residence within the court’s jurisdiction.

Both Thomas and the surety must deposit two recent passport photographs with the court registrar, and the surety’s address will be verified.

Thomas, a human rights activist, was arraigned on December 20 on a three-count charge of harassment and death threats against Seyi Tinubu, Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun, and Police Public Relations Officer Muyiwa Adejobi. She pleaded not guilty and was remanded at the Suleja Correctional Centre pending her bail hearing.

The case has been adjourned to February 18, 2025, for trial.