The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Borno State has strongly condemned the arrest and prosecution of five youths in Maiduguri for wearing t-shirts with the slogan "Tinubu Must Go". The party described the arrests as an infringement on the youths' right to freedom of expression. ADC Publicity Secretary in Borno State, Baba Ahmed Mustapha, stated that wearing clothing with a political message is a form of expressing political opinion and should not be treated as a criminal act.
The five youths, aged between 21 and 44, were arrested by security operatives on September 25 at around 11am near the West End Roundabout area of Maiduguri, the Borno State capital. They were charged with criminal conspiracy, inciting disturbance, disturbance of public peace, and thuggery under Sections 60, 78, 79, and 392 of the Borno State Penal Code. The suspects are Baba Aji Gremami, Mustapha Abba Yemen, Abbacha Mohammed Ali, Adam Umar Gubio, and Abdulhamid Mohammed.
The ADC urged the Borno State Commissioner of Police to ensure that security agencies operate professionally and in accordance with the law. The party also called on civil society organisations and stakeholders to condemn the use of security agencies to intimidate citizens over their political views. The arrests and prosecution have sparked widespread criticism, with many calling for the immediate release of the detained youths.
Amnesty International has described the arrests as arbitrary and called for the immediate and unconditional release of the five men. The organisation argued that peacefully expressing political opinions through clothing constitutes an exercise of fundamental rights and should not be treated as a criminal offence. Amnesty International also urged the authorities to discontinue what it described as a "sham trial based on bogus charges".
The case was arraigned before the Chief Magistrate Court I in Maiduguri, with the five defendants pleading not guilty to the charges. Their counsel filed an application seeking bail for the defendants, which was adjourned until October 6 for ruling. The substantive trial is scheduled for October 26. The ADC and Amnesty International have expressed concerns over the selective injustice and curtailment of opposition in the political space.
The incident has created a toxic climate of fear contrary to democratic principles of freedom and justice, according to Amnesty International. The organisation emphasised that citizens' right to peacefully express their political opinions should be protected in a democratic society rather than suppressed. The Borno State Police Command has not commented on the incident, but the ADC and Amnesty International continue to call for the release of the detained youths.
The arrest and prosecution of the five youths have raised concerns over the limits of free speech and expression in Nigeria. The incident highlights the challenges faced by citizens in exercising their fundamental rights and the need for security agencies to operate within the bounds of the law. The case is set to continue on October 6, with a ruling on the bail application expected.
Key points
- The African Democratic Congress and Amnesty International have condemned the arrest and prosecution of five youths in Borno state for wearing 'Tinubu Must Go' t-shirts.
- The arrests have been described as arbitrary and an infringement on the youths' right to freedom of expression.
- Amnesty International has called for the immediate and unconditional release of the five men and an end to the "sham trial".
