Reports indicate that the Sokoto State Government has arrested and sent to prison a social media user, Shafi’u Umar Tureta, for allegedly posting the viral video of the governor’s wife’s extravagant birthday party.
The video generated multiple criticisms from Nigerians who lamented the failure of the EFCC to issue arrests over the spraying of money at the event.
As a result of the backlash, the social media user was arrested by heavily armed policemen and hurriedly sent to prison.
Displeased by the show of power, Nigerians called out Sokoto Governor Ahmad Aliyu for influencing Tureta’s arrest.
Amnesty International has also intervened, urging the Sokoto State Government to free Tureta. The human rights group alleged that “Right now, plans are underway to drag Shafi’u Tureta before a court, in an attempt to seek prolonged remand in prison, to allow ample time to fabricate bogus charges against him.
“Sokoto State government must immediately and unconditionally release Shafi’u Umar Tureta. This surge in human rights violations by the Sokoto State government is unacceptable and must end now.”
The group condemned the arrest, questioning the government’s failure to address poverty and out-of-school children instead of engaging in taunting citizens.
“No one should be arrested solely for expressing an opinion that is contrary to that of the government or people in government. Growing intolerance of dissenting voices by those in positions of authority in Nigeria is another setback for the nation’s human rights records.
“The Sokoto state government has many important issues to tackle and punishing critics of the government is not one of them. This trend of the authorities’ never-ending harassment of activists for their social media posts must end.”
Amnesty International further said that the arrest was carried out on the unlawful orders of the governor of Sokoto State, Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto.
