Nigerian music stars, Omah Lay and Tems are likely to spend no less than seven years in prison if convicted for flouting COVID-19 guidelines in Uganda.
Eelive.ng had reported that the singers were arraigned in court on Monday, December 14, 2020, after being arrested.
In a series of tweets that follows the incident, Omah Lay lamented the ill-treatment he’s suffering in the hands of the Ugandan authority alongside Tems, as he queried why they have to “take a fall for this.”
“I’m in cuffs in Uganda right now with Tems,” his tweets read.
“I’m just a singer trying to entertain, why am I being set up in Uganda? I didn’t organize a show, I came on stage and saw teeming fans and sang to them…
“Why am I being detained? Why am I not been given a right to a fair hearing?
“Why is Uganda not letting @NigeriaMFA step into this? They have been trying to secure our release to no avail.
“Is there something bigger at play in Uganda? Why do I have to take the fall for it???” he queried.
However, going by Section 171 of the Uganda Penal Code, Omah Lay and Tems may spend no less than seven years in prison if convicted.
“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 of seven years,” the penal code partly read.
Meanwhile, while Tems was remanded in Kigo prison following the court arraignment today, Omah Lay was remanded in kitalya prison until Wednesday, December 16, when they will appear before the court again.
