***Over 20 Opponents Jailed on Frivolous Charges, Says Centre for Reform
A civil rights group, the Centre for Reform and Public Advocacy, has accused the Kebbi State Government of hijacking the justice system to crush political dissent, warning that Magistrate and Area Courts are now being used as weapons of political persecution.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Monday, the group’s legal head, Barrister Kalu Kalu Agu, painted a grim picture of repression in Kebbi, where over 20 citizens—including activists and critics—have allegedly been thrown behind bars on trumped-up charges.
“These arrests follow a disturbing pattern,” Agu said. “If you speak out, if you question the government, you risk jail. It’s a clear attempt to silence opposition and shut down public discourse.”
Victims include: Ibrahim Adamu Augie, arrested for a video about health issues; Mukhtar Dan Baturiya, detained for expressing dissenting views; Ahmad Tijjani Musa and Ibrahim Bature, punished for online comments.
According to the Centre, many of these individuals were picked up without warrants, denied legal counsel, and charged with vague offences like public nuisance, defamation, and inciting disturbance—all allegedly aimed at criminalizing free speech.
“The courts are no longer safe spaces for justice,” Agu stated. “Some Magistrates and Area Court judges now rubber-stamp bogus charges and dish out harsh sentences, enabling oppression rather than upholding the law.”
The Centre, in collaboration with the African Democratic Congress Legal Support Forum, is demanding full investigation into the conduct of Kebbi officials and security agencies; Disciplinary action against erring police and DSS operatives; Immediate release and compensation of wrongfully detained persons and International attention and monitoring of the state’s human rights record.
“This is no longer just about Kebbi,” Agu warned. “It’s about the soul of justice in Nigeria. If left unchecked, this culture of intimidation will spread—and democracy will be the casualty.”