Alleged Cyberbullying: Court grants activist Olamide Thomas N10m bail

A Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday, granted a nurse and activist, Olamide Thomas, who was charged for cursing Seyi Tinubu and the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun on social media, N10 million bail 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.

Justice Nwite had, on December 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.

Thomas was, on December 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.

She was arrested on allegations bordering on harassing, cursing and threatening Seyi Tinubu, IGP Kayode Egbetokun and the Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, in a viral social media post.