The Ugandan Police has confirmed the arrest of Nigerian musician Omah Lay and has said he will remain in police custody till Wednesday.
A tweet from the authorities of the East African country says that Stanley Omah Didia alias Omah Lay, Temilade Openyi alias Tems and Muyiwa Awoniyi have been arraigned for court and charged with “negligently doing acts wey fit spread infectious diseases”.
This was later confirmed by the musician, who in a tweet minutes later said: “I dey for cuffs for Uganda right now with Tems”
I’m in cuffs in Uganda right now with Tems
— Omah Lay (@Omah_Lay) December 14, 2020
Omah Lay later came back to say he is being denied access to justice and conveyed his reservations with the treatment in a series of tweets.
I’m just a singer trying to entertain, why am I being set up in Uganda?
— Omah Lay (@Omah_Lay) December 14, 2020
I didn’t organize a show, I came on stage and saw teeming fans and sang to them…
— Omah Lay (@Omah_Lay) December 14, 2020
Why am I being detained? Why am I not been given a right to a fair hearing?
— Omah Lay (@Omah_Lay) December 14, 2020
Omah Lay appeared in court on Monday contrary to the intervention by the Nigerian government to have him released since he claims he did nothing wrong. The only reason that has been given is that the Director of Public Prosecutions of Uganda has sanctioned the case file.
Omah Lay fans and fellow celebrities and concerned citizens of Nigerians have been calling for his immediate releases with the hashtags: #FreeOmahLay & #Freetems on Twitter.
#FreeTems #FreeOmahLay
Makes no sense as to why you arrest performers at an event that’s already happened
Makes no sense— ZAHEER! (@iam_YCee) December 14, 2020
Are they the show organizers? Except everyone that attended the show was also arrested, then this makes no sense #FreeOmahLay #FreeTems .
— JOEBOY (@joeboyofficial) December 14, 2020
I guess covid 19 was on strike during your presidential campaign in Uganda? ? #FreeOmahLay #FreeTems pic.twitter.com/Bku1hQT8Lo
— zeelux #EndSARS (@CallMe_Zeelux) December 14, 2020
Omahlay and Tems were invited and granted permission to perform!! @PoliceUg
Why exactly are they being detained?It is our Duty, to ensure the protection of our Citizens.@NigeriaMFA @Abikedabiri
Please look into this and resolve it quickly!! Thank you#FreeTems #FreeOmahLay— TACHA????? (@Symply_Tacha) December 14, 2020
Its a total shame that Nigerian artists Omah Lay and Tems who flew into Uganda LEGALLY for a publicly announced event are being hounded and embarrassed in such a manner.#FreeOmahLay #FreeTems @GovUganda @abikedabiri
— Runtown (@iRuntown) December 14, 2020
