Amnesty International Nigeria has known as on the Nigerian authorities to right away and unconditionally release Imran Usman Wakili, who was allegedly arrested over social media posts claiming there was a low turnout on the All Progressives Congress, APC, presidential marketing campaign flag-off in Kaduna State.
The organisation additionally mentioned Wakili was focused as a result of of his sturdy help for former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, who it claimed had been unlawfully detained for greater than 260 days.
In a press release posted on X, Amnesty International described Wakili’s detention as a violation of his rights.
“His detention is unlawful and shows the Nigerian government’s complete disdain for due process.”
The organisation mentioned safety operatives arrested Wakili after monitoring him to his residence in an property in Karu, on the outskirts of Abuja, on October 29.
According to Amnesty International, a closely armed workforce of law enforcement officials stormed the property at about 4:30 pm and requested the safety personnel to direct them to Wakili’s residence.
When they found that he was not at dwelling, the officers reportedly arrested his youthful brother, who lives with him, and the property supervisor.
The organisation expressed concern that Wakili may face ill-treatment, alleging that he had been denied entry to his household and lawyer.
“Right now, Imran is at the risk of ill-treatment, as he had been denied access to family and lawyer in utter disregard for the rule of law.”
Amnesty International additional accused the authorities of punishing Wakili for expressing his views on social media.
“Clearly, Imran is being punished for his critical and dissenting posts on social media. Imran Wakili did not commit any crime, and his unlawful detention shows abuse of power. It is perfectly within his right to express critical opinion on any matter of public interest,” the organisation mentioned.
It maintained that detaining somebody merely for exercising their proper to freedom of expression was unacceptable.
The human rights organisation additionally argued that beneath worldwide human rights legislation, social media posts which will offend authorities officers or public figures don’t present enough grounds for arbitrary police detention.
It urged the administration of President Bola Tinubu to cease what it described as persistent assaults on human rights and respect the rule of legislation.
