Abuja, Nigeria
CNN
—
The Nigerian first lady ordered security forces to detain the student and oversaw him being beaten at the president’s residence, his lawyers claim.
Aminu Mohammed Adam, 24, was detained by police in the capital Abuja on June 8 after posting a tweet that prosecutors said was a defamatory remark against the president’s wife, Aisha Buhari. , his attorney Agu Chijioke-Kingsley told CNN. The first lady’s defamation lawsuit against Adam was subsequently dropped.
According to Kingsley, Adam, a final year student in environmental management and toxicology at a university in northern Nigeria, was pursued and arrested by “plainclothes security forces” at the Federal University Dutse in Jigawa state on November 18.
“My client said he met the first lady who was arrested at school, taken to the presidential palace and told security forces to beat him … and he was detained at a police station in Abuja. I was beaten before I could get out,” Kingsley told CNN. .
A spokesman for the Nigerian National Police and State Department told CNN they were unaware of Adam’s arrest.
A spokesperson for the Abuja police did not comment when contacted by CNN, and the president’s spokesperson, Garba Sheff, did not respond to CNN’s request for comment on the first lady’s allegations of assault against Adam.
Nigeria’s first lady, Aisha Buhari, has not spoken publicly about the incident.
Adamu was brought to court in Abuja last Tuesday (29 November), more than a week after his arrest.
“He was charged with criminal defamation, but he pleaded not guilty,” his attorney said.
Adamu had previously been transferred to prison from the police facility where he was held and remanded by court order.
“I got a call on Friday (December 2nd) asking me to move my bail application. said it would be withdrawn from
Adamu’s detention was widely condemned by Nigerians and human rights groups who used the hashtag #FreeAminu on social media to call for his release.
The National Nigerian Students Association (NANS) also called for nationwide demonstrations while calling for Adam’s unconditional release.
The Nigerian police chief also called for the first lady to be indicted.
“She not only had him arrested, but also beat and tortured him in the[president’s]villa…This is unacceptable,” Nigerian police said.
“We have laws against all crimes in this country, so why doesn’t she follow them? Mrs. Bukhari should be prosecuted for taking the law into her own hands,” Mohammed told CNN.
Last month, two TikTok comedians in northern Kano state were publicly flogged and ordered to wash toilets for making a video that a court ruled defamed Governor Abdullahi Omar Ganduje.
Amnesty International’s Nigeria chapter is concerned about the erosion of free speech in Nigeria.
“Amnesty International Concerned By increasing attacks on freedom of expression in Nigeria. Authorities increasingly use illegal arrests and ill-treatment to suppress those who criticize the state. This must stop now,” the human rights group said in a tweet the day Adam was released.
Also murmured “The brutal abuse of Aminu Adam Muhammad is a clear attempt to instill fear in the minds of young Nigerians who are using social media to hold those in power accountable. We urgently need to respect and uphold the right to freedom of the people.”
After two weeks in custody, Adam was released and reunited with his family. His uncle, Shehu Azare, told CNN he is currently focused on writing final exams and will not discuss his ordeal.
Adam welcomed by a hero Shortly after his release, he arrived at the university and later Tweet He apologized to the First Lady, saying, “I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings…I will change for the better…I am also grateful for your forgiveness…”
and video In tweet after tweet, Adam reiterated his gratitude to the first lady, angering many Nigerians who criticized him for “apologizing to his oppressors.”
“Thank you to the First Lady of Nigeria … for deciding my recent behavior deserves forgiveness and for her moral advice to change for the better … I take those words. I’ll follow you,” Adam said. His video.
Reactions to Adamu’s apology to Nigerian first lady murmured: “I don’t understand him either. (He) left everyone who stood by him and he apologized to his oppressors?? How come?!!!”
Some other commentators said Adam had “I did the right thing” Apologies to Mrs.
“It wasn’t appropriate because he had pleaded with the first lady (for Adam’s release) before Adam was taken to court, but she refused to accept the plea and took him to court. took, where he was arraigned and remanded to jail.
“A lot of people are complaining about it[apologies]. People think it’s very wrong to ask forgiveness from someone who hits you or hurts you,” he added.
