A Magistrate’s Court in Maiduguri, Borno State, has granted bail to five people reportedly arrested after wearing T-shirts bearing the #TinubuMustGo inscription.
The suspects were arrested on September 25 in Maiduguri, in a development that generated public discussion over freedom of expression and political tolerance in the state.
The Borno State Police Command said the suspects were allegedly found with items beyond the political clothing, a claim that generated further controversy.
According to the police, officers recovered 15 wraps of suspected Indian hemp, 100 tablets of suspected D5, a shisha pot, scissors, as well as two of the disputed T-shirts.
Critics accused the authorities of targeting peaceful individuals over their political views, while the police strongly rejected the allegations.
The command maintained that it is strictly non-partisan and said the case was taken to court to allow due process to take its course.
The development was also accompanied by allegations connecting Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum with the arrests.
However, the Borno State Government strongly denied the claims.
In a statement issued by the governor’s special adviser on media, Dauda Iliya, the administration described the ADC’s claims as “impulsive, poorly thought out, and a product of political desperation.”
The government said Governor Zulum did not refer to the #TinubuMustGo group, the ADC, or any particular opposition faction during his media chat, but instead spoke about the need to preserve security, peace and public order.
The case recorded a significant development after Barrister Alkali Askira, chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Garki branch, confirmed that the defendants had been granted bail.
While defending the fundamental right to freedom of expression, Barrister Askira also cautioned young people to remain law-abiding and avoid conduct that could inadvertently put them in conflict with the law.
The defendants’ families expressed appreciation to the legal team for supporting their children and urged young people across the state to remain law-abiding.
