By George Omagbemi
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has demanded the immediate release of five men arrested and arraigned in Maiduguri, Borno State, over T-shirts bearing the inscription “Tinubu Must Go.”
Atiku made the demand on Wednesday through Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council, questioning the basis for detaining citizens over a political message.
The five men (Baba Aji Gremami, 44; Mustapha Abba Yemen, 28; Abbacha Mohammed Ali, 32; Adam Umar Gubio, 21; and Abdulhamid Mohammed, 21) were arrested on September 25 around the West End Roundabout area of Maiduguri, according to a First Information Report dated September 29.
Police charged them with criminal conspiracy, inciting disturbance, disturbance of public peace and thuggery under Sections 60, 78, 79 and 392 of the Borno State Penal Code. All five pleaded not guilty.
Atiku argued that the slogan represented a political demand and should not, by itself, be treated as a criminal act. He also asked authorities to disclose the detainees’ whereabouts and ensure access to their families and lawyers.
Amnesty International has separately called for the men’s release, saying peaceful political expression should not be criminalised.
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