Singers Omah Lay and Tems were released from custody recently after spending two days at a Ugandan Police station for breaking Covid-19 SOPs. The two singers were later handed over to the Nigerian embassy and are now safe according to reports.
When news about Omah Lay and Tems arrest broke out, several Nigerians were displeased with the way the Ugandan authorities handled the matter with many taking to Twitter to voice out their concerns, while others even threatened to bewitch those involved.
Omah Lay and Tems were arrested and detained at the Katwe Police Station in Kampala for performing at an ‘unauthorised concert’ and disobeying COVID-19 protocols. But after two days in custody and being arraigned in court, the entertainers were later released and are ready to fly home to Nigeria.
According to Pulse Nigeria, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the Chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission confirmed their release and also revealed that the musicians would fly out to Nigerian as soon as possible.
Dabiri-Erewa, whose commission worked closely with several bodies to secure the release of the musicians in Uganda, shared photos of the singers on Twitter and confirmed that they had been released to the Nigeria mission in Uganda.
“Finally, finally. The journey home will soon begin but they are safely at Nigeria house in Uganda,” she wrote on Twitter.
Breaking: Temilade ( Tems) has been freed and handed over to the Nigerian mission in Uganda. Onah lay @Omah_Lay is expected soon @PeterPsquare pic.twitter.com/Pe8yEbt1wT
— Abike Dabiri-Erewa (@abikedabiri) December 15, 2020
Dabiri-Erewa also put a call across to the parents of the singers to assure them of the safety of their children.
Nigerian singers Omah Lay and Tems released to the Nigerian embassy
Omah Lay and Tems were arrested on Sunday, December 13, 2020, after performing at a venue in Kampala the previous night. After their arrest, the singers were on Monday, December 14 arraigned in court on charges of doing “acts that are likely to cause the spread of infectious disease Covid-19.” These charges have now been dropped.
They were to remain in custody until Wednesday, December 16 before another court appearance before the matter was resolved.
Several Nigerian musicians like Mr Eazi, Burna Boy and Davido were among those who called for the release of the two artists from custody, asking the Ugandan authorities to not file charges against them.
“Pleased to hear that My brothers and sisters are to be released & the case is resolved, Big love to everyone who worked on this,” Mr Eazi wrote on Twitter.
Mr Eazi also thanked the Government of Uganda and the Chief Of Justice In Uganda for resolving the issue.
Looking back to what happened and how Omah Lay and Tems ended up being arrested by the Ugandan Police, questions are still asked as to whether the two weren’t aware of the current status in the country and how concerts and other forms of entertainment had been banned due to the current pandemic.
Uganda Police had charged Stanley Omah Didia alias Omah Lay, Temilade Openyi alias Tems, plus one Muyiwa Awoniyi with the offence of “negligently doing acts that can lead to the spread of infectious diseases”.
Fortunately, the matter was resolved peacefully and the two are now already on their way back home. Singers like Bebe Cool were also part of those who fought for their release. Probably this will serve as a warning to all international artists who were planning to perform in Uganda,
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