Bebe Cool’s recent comments reveal a detailed account of his involvement in the 2020 arrest of Nigerian artists Tems and Omah Lay in Uganda. While Tems had previously alleged that Bebe Cool was behind the arrests, he has now denied any involvement in facilitating them.
According to Bebe Cool, he was informed about their arrest in the early hours of the morning by a friend, and he immediately took steps to understand the situation, including contacting the police station and speaking with the DPC (District Police Commander). He questioned the rationale behind the arrest, stating that the artists were not in control of the event’s attendees and had not violated the social distancing regulations.
Bebe Cool’s explanation further highlights how his public stance against the government’s restrictions on Ugandan artists led to the belief that he was involved in the arrest. However, he maintains that his efforts were aimed at securing the artists’ release, and not at causing their detention. He also noted that some media reports incorrectly credited Nigeria’s ambassador with the artists’ release, when he himself had been working behind the scenes for their freedom.
It seems Bebe Cool was caught in a complex situation, with mixed public perceptions and a chain of events that involved local frustrations over government restrictions on live performances.
