Omah Lay and Tems are facing up to 7 years in Ugandan prison if they are convicted on the charges levied against them.
Omah Lay and Tems were arrested together on Sunday, December 13, alongside their managers for holding a concert at Ddungu resort in Munyonyo while the country is on lockdown.
The duo were remanded in different prisons till Wednesday, December 16, following their court arraignment at the Makindye Division court in Kampala on Monday.
Giving an update on the case, the Ugandan Police took to twitter to reveal the charges that have been levied against the singers.
The Ugandan Police wrote on Twitter;
“The Nigerian trio of Stanley Omah Didia alias Omah Lay, Temilade Openyi alias Tems and Muyiwa Awomiyi have been charged to court in Makindye on charges of negligently doing acts likely to spread an infectious diseases C/S 171 of the Penal Code Act.
The earlier plans of releasing them on police bond, were suspended after their case file was sanctioned by the Office of the DPP.
They were jointly charged with four other Ugandans. All remanded till Wednesday 16.12.2020.”
A quick check on the charges revealed that it carries a maximum of seven years imprisonment. The Negligent act likely to spread infection of disease reads;
“Any person who unlawfully or negligently does any act which is and which he or she knows or has reason to believe to be likely to spread the infection of any disease dangerous to life commits an offence and is liable to imprisonment for seven years.
“Meanwhile, the Federal Government has said it is doing everything within its reach to secure the release of Omah Lay and Tems from detention. Commenting on the issue in a series of tweets yesterday, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), said efforts are ongoing to ensure they regain 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.”