Two popular Nigerian Afro pop singers Omaj Lay, and Ms Tems have now been released from a prison in Uganda after their arrest for breaching Covid-19 regulations sparked outrage in Nigeria.
Omah was detained at Kitalya prison while Ms Tems was at Kigo prison.
The duo was charged in a Magistrate court in Makidye, Uganda, yesterday for “negligently doing acts likely to spread an infectious disease C/S 171 of the Penal Code Act.”
The Ugandan police said earlier plans of releasing them on police bond were suspended after their casefile was sanctioned by the Office of the DPP.
They were jointly charged with four other Ugandans and remanded till Wednesday .
Omah Lay and Ms Terms are being accused of breaching Covid-19 regulations after their performance on Saturday night at The Big Brunch, a concert held in the capital, Kampala.
Their show was sold out as it was the first musical concert since Covid restrictions which were imposed by President Yoweri Museveni.
Their arrest has sparked wide outrage as fellow Nigerian artistes are calling for their immediate release. Former P Square ember, Rudeboy took to Facebook with a hashtag #ReleaseOurArtistes claiming it wasn’t a crime for Nigerian artistes to be in Uganda.
He said, “What I really don’t understand is why the police in Uganda harassing Nigerian artistes. Treating them like criminals. They did not just appeared or teleport themselves into Uganda.
“They passed through your immigration and also questions were asked before issuing them visas….. This is totally unacceptable. Some persons did not do their job, instead you decide to make Nigerian artistes pay for your negligence.”
The federal Government has also joined in solidarity and said it is doing their best to make sure the artistes are released from detention.
Commenting on the issue through twitter threads Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), said efforts are ongoing to ensure they regain their freedom.
According to her, NIDCOM has teamed up with Geoffrey Onyeama, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Nigerian Mission in Uganda to look into the matter.
“ It has just been brought to our attention. We are doing everything possible to get it all sorted # FreeOmahLay , ” she wrote .
“ The Nigerian mission in Uganda is doing everything to get them freed . Minister @GeoffreyOnyeama has also been on the matter. @nidcom _ gov is also in touch with their lawyers . We must ensure we get them back home , safe and sound and fast # FreeOmahLay # FreeTems . ”
