Nigerian Singers React To Tems, Omah Lay’s Arrest In Uganda

Several Nigerian artistes including Davido, Wizkid, Burna Boy, Tiwa Savage and Mr. P of the defunct P-Square duo, among others have taken to the social media to condemn the arrest and detention of Stanley Omah Didia, also known as Omah Lay and TemiladeOpeniyi, professionally known as Tems in Uganda shortly after a concert.
The news of their arrest was made known by an Assistant Superintendent of police (ASP) in the country identified as Owoyesigyire on social media on Sunday, December 13,2020.
Davido in a recent tweet condemned the arrest adding that “the singers didn’t bargain for this”. Burna Boy called out the Ugandan police as he pointed out that the show was organised by Ugandans and tickets sold publicly according to the self acclaimed” African Giant”, the artistes shouldn’t have to suffer for it.
For Tiwa Savage, the arrest of Omah Lay and Tems is unfair, while Patoranking in a recent tweet tagged the arrest as senseless. Wizkid simply wants the two artistes brought home immediately.
Meanwhile, Omah Lay has tweeted that he and Tems are still in cuff in Uganda, he tweeted: “I’m in cuffs in Uganda right now with Tems, they are treating me like I killed someone, I didn’t organise a show, I came on stage and saw teeming fans and sang to them”.
“I’ m just a singer trying to entertain why am I being setup in Uganda, why is Uganda not letting @ Nigeria MFA step into this?,they have been trying to secure our release to no avail”.
It was also gathered that Tems has refused to eat anything while in police custody in Uganda, Tems reason for not eating is not known although social media users are alluding to fear of being poisoned.
The duo were whisked away by the Ugandan police on Sunday December 13,2020 for performing in a crowded concert against the rules of the country to help curb the spread of the corona virus pandemic. They are likely to face a seven year jail sentence in Uganda prison for organising an unlawful concert.
According to the Ugandan law, any negligence that will lead to the spread of infectious diseases according to c/s 171 of the penal code Act will serve seven years jail term.
The unauthorised concert was held on Ddungu Resort in Munyonko, Kampala city. The singers have been charged to court and were on Monday December 14 arraigned on charges.

By: Jacob Obinna