A group, Adamawa Concerned Citizens, has accused the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, Former First Lady Hajiya Aishatu Buhari, and the APC North East national vice chairman, Salihu Mustapha and Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of being behind the arrest and continued detention of an activist, Mallam Hussaini Gambo Nakura.
Nakura was invited by the Adamawa State Police command on Wednesday, September, 10 2025, but was detained after being presented with a petition against him filed by Comrade Mustapha Salihu through Solicitors of Ahmad Buba and Mustapha Salihu on alleged defamation of character.
The petition accused Nakura of allegedly defaming Ribadu and Hajiya Aishatu Buhari over claims that they hijacked fertilizer and farm inputs intended for local farmers, while distributing expired food items to citizens.
Nakura was arraigned before Upper Magistrate Court No. 2 in Yola, where he faced what Abdulrahman called “extremely harsh bail conditions.”
A subsequent application for bail at the High Court of Justice in Adamawa State was also rejected, fueling suspicions of judicial interference.
But addressing journalists in Adamawa on Friday Mallam Sani Abdulrahman described Nakura’s arrest as a stark illustration of the shrinking civic space under Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri’s administration.
He said, “This unfortunate development clearly demonstrates the authoritarian tendencies that are compromising the rule of law in Adamawa.
“This refusal underscores deep concerns that the judiciary in the state is heavily influenced and controlled by government and political interests.
“We are witnessing a dangerous slide into autocracy, where the rights of citizens are trampled under the guise of law enforcement.”
Abdulrahman urged human rights activists, civil society organizations, and “Nigerians of conscience” to rally against the perceived injustice.
He specifically named notable figures such as former Minister of Youth and Sports Solomon Dalung (often referred to as Dalong), human rights lawyer Havi, activist Naja’atu Mohammed (also known as Na’ajatu), and others to join the campaign against injustice.
He added, “We call on these defenders of democracy to intervene and stand firm against this autocratic regime in Adamawa State. Justice delayed is justice denied. The struggle for freedom and fairness must not be silenced,” he concluded passionately.
“This is a bailable offense. But Nakura has been detained out of injustice, that only a particular local government chairman can bail him out as a condition is unacceptable.”
When contacted, the Adamawa Police Command Public Relations Officer, Sul’aiman Yahaya Nguroje, said Nakura was detained because someone lodged a complained about him.
But when asked whether Nuhu Ribadu, Hajiya Aishatu Buhari, Salihu Mustapha were behind the case, he said that the police could not comment on the issue, since the case is in the court.
“Somebody made a complaint and he was invited, investigated and charged to court for law to take its course, so that he can defend himself and the complainant equally has every right to bring forth all his evidences. This is the only thing I can say for now.”