The Chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Dabiri- Erewa, has assured Nigerians that singers, Temilade Openiyi populalrly known as Tems and Stanley Omah Didia, popularly known as Omah Lay who have both been in detention in Uganda, will be released soon.
She gave the assurance on Tuesday via Twitter, after receiving two members of both artistes’ record labels.
“I received Marshall and Valentine, working with @Omah_Lay and Tem’s record label. The good news is that they will soon be back,” she tweeted.
I received Marshall and Valentine , working with @Omah_Lay and Tem’s record label. The good news is that they will soon be back. pic.twitter.com/Z1YgOhFk7j
— Abike Dabiri-Erewa (@abikedabiri) December 15, 2020
The fast-rising stars were arrested on Monday after performing at a show and flouting COVID-19 guidelines.
Thereafter, they were arraigned at a court in Kampala, Uganda’s capital city.
A tweet by the Ugandan Police Force said they will remain in custody till Wednesday, December 16.
Their arrest was met with outrage, especially on social media, by many fans and Nigerians, who are calling for their immediate release.
The reason for their arrest has also been a subject of debate as many believe it goes beyond flouting the country’s COVID-19 guidelines.
This quickly sparked the hashtags #FreeTems, #FreeOmahLay, which immediately dominated the trends.
In response to the outcry, Dabiri- Erewa had earlier assured that the Nigerian mission in Uganda was attending to the matter.
Read Also: Nigerian Artistes Omah Lay, Tems To Be Remanded In Ugadan Police Custody
Where’s the organizer of the event? 🤔🤔🤔#FreeTems #FreeOmahLay pic.twitter.com/YVmOI5VDVf
— Semilore 😈 OBOSEXUAL (@DSFspeaks) December 14, 2020
“Our mission in Uganda is working on this frantically. You can confirm from their lawyers. Efforts are being made. We will do everything possible to get them freed.
“We must ensure we get them back home, safe and sound and fast,” she wrote.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffery Onyeama, also noted that the Nigerian government was already engaging the Ugandan Authorities at the highest level to ensure their release.
