In a disturbing turn of events, Shafi’u Umar Tureta, an aide to Senator Aminu Tambuwal, has been remanded in a correctional facility for allegedly insulting Governor Ahmad Aliyu of Sokoto on Facebook.
The arrest and subsequent remand have sparked outrage, with Amnesty International Nigeria and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Sokoto condemning the actions of the Sokoto government.
Tureta was charged with circulating injurious falsehood and engraving matter known to be defamatory, which contravened the Penal Code.
The alleged offences include sharing a document purporting to show the governor’s poor academic record, posting a video of dollar notes being sprayed at the governor’s wife’s birthday celebration, and mocking the governor’s English proficiency.
Armed security operatives invaded Tureta’s residence on Sunday to effect the arrest. The magistrate, Fatima Hassan, barred journalists from covering the proceedings, sparking concerns about transparency and fairness.
Amnesty International Nigeria has called for Tureta’s unconditional release, stating that the arrest is “unacceptable” and that the Sokoto government intends to remand him on “bogus” charges.
The PDP in Sokoto has also condemned the arrest, arguing that posting public videos of a governor is not a crime under Nigerian law.
(PremiumTimes)
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