Nigerian High Court Rejects Detained Activist Olamide Thomas’s Oral Bail, Sends Her To Suleja Prison
Thomas, who had been in police detention for nearly one week now, was hurriedly arraigned before Justice Nwite.
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| Abiodun Olamide Thomas |
On Friday, Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the remand of female human rights activist Comrade Abiodun Olamide Thomas at the Suleja Custodial Centre of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS).
Thomas, who had been in police detention for nearly one week now, was hurriedly arraigned before Justice Nwite.
According to SaharaReporters, it was gathered that Justice Nwite after the charges were read denied her bail, insisting that her lawyers should bring formal bail application before court.
"Justice Nwite rejected our oral application for her bail. She is sent to Suleja prison and said that our lawyers should apply for bail and come back," an activist told SaharaReporters shortly after the court proceeding.
Meanwhile, Take It Back (TIB) Movement has condemned the continued repression of Thomas, demanding her immediate release.
TIB in an X post on Friday wrote: "Upon learning of a fundamental human rights application scheduled to be heard today, @PoliceNG hurriedly arraigns Nurse Olamide before one of the most pro establishment judges in Abuja, justice Emeka Nwite.
"We ask that the court does the needful today, #FreeOlamide immediately."
SaharaReporters reported on Thursday that Ms. Thomas, who had been in police custody under severe and questionable conditions collapsed at the Cyber Crime Centre, Force headquarters, after writing her statement.
We had reported on Monday that Thomas, a female activist arrested on Friday for allegedly insulting Adejobi, had been moved to the Force headquarters in Abuja.
SaharaReporters learned on Monday that Thomas endured inhumane treatment on Saturday and remained detained at Nigeria's National Cyber-Crime Centre, Abuja. Sources revealed that she had been held for days without charges or court appearance, and denied administrative bail.
It was reported on Friday that Thomas, whose alternate identity is Horlarmidey Africano, was poised for transfer to the Nigerian Police Force Headquarters in Abuja.
Previously detained at the Lagos State Police Command, Thomas' arrest was reportedly instigated by the Police IG, Kayode Egbetokun and Assistant Commissioner of Police Olumuyiwa Adejobi, Force Public Relations Officer. Her detention stemmed from candid remarks criticizing police misconduct, of which she herself had been a victim, thereby attracting unwarranted attention from law enforcement authorities.
Confidential sources revealed to SaharaReporters that the Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun harbored keen interest in Abiodun's case, indicating an uncompromising stance.
Previously, on November 8, SaharaReporters reported Thomas' apprehensions regarding her safety, alleging targeted harassment by Adejobi.
Furthermore, sources disclosed to SaharaReporters on Monday that Thomas, a duly licensed nursing professional, endured inhumane treatment at the hands of Nigerian Police operatives, subjected to appalling and unimaginable conditions, eliciting profound concern.
According to one of the sources, Thomas was initially arrested on October 20, 2024, when she was beaten and slapped several times.
Additionally, Thomas suffered injuries at the Lekki Toll Gate, where a tear gas canister was fired at her leg and she was repeatedly struck with a firearm.
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