IBB University Lapai student Abubakar Mokwa has been remanded in prison until 17 November 2025, for an alleged social media post on Govenor Umaru Bago of Niger state, in an escalation of attacks on human rights. It is perfectly within his right to criticize the governor.
Amnesty International said Criticizing a president or a governor – no matter who he is – is not a crime. The arbirtrary detention and plan to subject Abubakar Mokwa to a sham trial based on bogus charges are the latest symptoms of the alarming backsliding of human rights across Nigeria.
The governor of Niger state must end such brazen and consistent attacks on freedom and human rights and comply with Nigeria’s constitution and international law that guaranteed the right to freedom of expression.
Nigerian politicians are increasingly abusing their power by locking up their critics. When on the streets, on peaceful protests, Nigerian youths are always met with violent reprisal from the Nigerian authorities, and now their online voices are being silenced as well, through manipulation of the police and weaponization of the judiciary.
Abubakar Mokwa must be released immediately and unconditionally. Amnesty International added that Governor Umaru Bago should be listening to what his critics are saying instead of using the police to silence them.
