Wife of Nigeria’s president, Aisha Buhari, has come under criticism for allegedly ordering the arrest and detention of Aminu Muhammad over an alleged defamatory social media post.
Development Diaries reports that Muhammad, a 23-year-old student of the Federal University, Dutse, was arrested on 08 November, 2022.
The final-year student in the Department of Environmental Management and Toxicology had in June tweeted in Hausa, ‘Su mama anchi kudin talakawa ankoshi’, which translates in English to ‘Mama has eaten the money of poor people’.
Su mama anchi kudin talakawa ankoshi🤧.. pic.twitter.com/VZhKdLDZGa
— Catalyst😈 (@aminullahie) June 8, 2022
According to Amnesty International (AI), Muhammad is being held in an unknown location and has been subjected to various forms of ill-treatment.
Amnesty International calls on the authorities to release him from unlawful detention and ensure that all those suspected of torture and other violations against him are brought to justice. #FreeAminuAdamuMuhammed
— Amnesty International Nigeria (@AmnestyNigeria) November 27, 2022
Nigerians react
investigative journalist, Fisayo Soyombo, tweeted, ‘I still don’t understand Aisha Buhari’s angst. Is it that she hasn’t increased in size since her husband’s coming to power in 2015, or is it that public office holders aren’t fed on tax payers’ (the masses’) money’?
I still don’t understand Aisha Buhari’s angst.
Is it that she hasn’t increased in size since her husband’s coming to power in 2015, or is it that public office holders aren’t fed on tax payers’ (the masses’) money?
So where is the lie in Aminu Muhammed’s tweet?
— ‘Fisayo Soyombo (@fisayosoyombo) November 27, 2022
Also reacting, social activist, Aisha Yesufu, condemned the action of the first lady. She tweeted, ‘Aisha Buhari the new tyrant in the block’.
Aisha Buhari the new tyrant in the block.https://t.co/StlVZBsPVs
— Aisha Yesufu (@AishaYesufu) November 27, 2022
As for human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, he tweeted, ‘I unreservedly deprecate this reckless abuse of power and demand the immediate release of Aminu Adamu Muhammad, a student of Federal University, Dutse.
I unreservedly deprecate this reckless abuse of power and demand the immediate release of Aminu Adamu Muhammed, a student of Federal University Dutse.
— Inibehe Effiong (@InibeheEffiong) November 26, 2022
The Nigerian presidency, or the Department of State Services (DSS) had yet to make an official statement on this development.
Freedom of expression
Muhammed expressed his right to freedom of expression as enshrined in section 39 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
‘Every person shall be entitled to freedom of expression, including freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart information without interference…’, the section reads.
Therefore, the arrest of Muhammed over an expression of his human right as a citizen of Nigeria is highly unconstitutional and should be condemned.
Those in authority should regard the constitution and see to it that the young man is released to his family, to avoid a case of human rights violation.
Photo source: Hallmark News
