Let’s save Omah Lay now

By Onyeka Nwelue 

Today again, I had a long call with my artiste, clearly telling him that what happened to our rising star, Omah Lay in Uganda, can happen to anybody. Telling him how it is important to learn of the challenges and stress of going on tour.

What happened to the young man in Uganda, is demoralising. It’s not his fault. The show promoters should be held responsible but every country has its law.

I have lived in Kampala. The weather is humid and dusty.

Omah Lay may not survive the cranky weather. I am rooting deeply for him. I love his music. Such a gentleman! In my own way, I have been reaching out to people that can help him. He can’t possibly survive the filthy and rat-infested cells in Uganda. Not only in Uganda, I was imprisoned in Rwanda.

This is not a time to judge Omah Lay.

In 2018, I was arrested by eight men in black (dirty) suit from the lobby of Onomo Hotel in Kigali. They told me their boss wanted to see me for a few minutes. I left with them. They brought my luggage along. That was how I spent EIGHT days on the bare floor of a Rwandan prison.

Lots of people, on hearing about my detention, intervened. Calling on the government to release me and when the government of Rwanda released me, they were quick to post these on the official website of the Rwanda Investigation Bureau stating their own side of the story and also sharing a copy of an apology letter they coerced me into writing:

1. On 23 October 2018, Mr Nwelue Onyeka, a citizen of Nigeria, was detained for questioning by the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) following a complaint of public insult lodged by a Rwandan company.

2. Upon arrest, Mr Onyeka complained of a medical condition and was immediately taken to King Faisal Hospital, where he received treatment and medications at RIB expense. After being discharged, he was taken to Kicukiro RIB Station, where he was accommodated in a private room and provided with food and drink of his choice.

3. Mr Onyeka was questioned about the allegations after being informed of his rights under Rwandan law, including the right to remain silent and to have legal counsel, both of which he waived. He acknowledged the insults he had made on social media, and attributed them to “anger”. He signed a letter of apology to this effect written in his own hand (attached).

4. As a result of his admission, RIB determined that the matter did not merit criminal prosecution at this time, and Mr Onyeka departed Rwanda for Johannesburg, South Africa on 29 October 2018. However, this decision could be revisited if Mr Onyeka makes additional statements that amount to public insult under art 161 of Law Nº68/2018 of 30/08/2018 determining offences and penalties in general UNDER Rwandan Law.

When I got out of Rwanda, I had to treat a skin disease and checked into a psychiatry. I was damaged. The Rwandans tried to ruin my life, which is why I can’t be comfortable in the same space with any Rwandan, dead or alive.

Omah Lay’s meteoric rise as an artiste can not be destroyed now. Every Nigerian needs to lend their voice to get him out of Uganda now.

We need him back in Nigeria, back in the studio, back in the limelight!