Amnesty International Nigeria has urged the Nigerian government to immediately and unconditionally release Imran Usman Wakili, who was arrested over social media posts. Wakili's posts allegedly claimed there was a low turnout at the All Progressives Congress, APC, presidential campaign flag-off in Kaduna State. The organisation described Wakili's detention as a violation of his rights and called it unlawful.
According to Amnesty International, Wakili was targeted due to his strong support for former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, who has been unlawfully detained for over 260 days. The organisation stated that security operatives arrested Wakili after tracking him to his residence in an estate in Karu, on the outskirts of Abuja, on October 29. A heavily armed team of police officers stormed the estate and asked security personnel to direct them to Wakili's apartment.
When the officers discovered Wakili was not at home, they reportedly arrested his younger brother, who lives with him, and the estate manager. Amnesty International expressed concern that Wakili could face ill-treatment, alleging that he had been denied access to his family and lawyer. The organisation stated that Wakili's detention shows the Nigerian government's complete disdain for due process.
Amnesty International accused the authorities of punishing Wakili for expressing his views on social media. The organisation maintained that detaining someone simply for exercising their right to freedom of expression was unacceptable. Wakili did not commit any crime, and his unlawful detention shows an abuse of power.
The human rights organisation argued that under international human rights law, social media posts that may offend government officials or public figures do not provide sufficient grounds for arbitrary police detention. Amnesty International urged the administration of President Bola Tinubu to stop what it described as persistent attacks on human rights and respect the rule of law.
The organisation stated that Wakili is at risk of ill-treatment, as he had been denied access to family and lawyer in utter disregard for the rule of law. It is perfectly within Wakili's right to express critical opinion on any matter of public interest. Amnesty International described Wakili's detention as a clear case of punishment for his critical and dissenting posts on social media.
Amnesty International demands the immediate release of Imran Wakili, calling on the Nigerian government to respect the rule of law and human rights. The organisation's statement was posted on X, emphasising the need for the government to stop attacks on human rights and ensure due process.
Key points
- Amnesty International Nigeria calls for Imran Wakili's release, citing a violation of his rights.
- Wakili's detention is allegedly linked to his support for former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai.
- The organisation argues that social media posts critical of government officials do not justify arbitrary detention.
