A Magistrate’s Court in Maiduguri, Borno State, has granted bail to five persons who were reportedly arrested over wearing T-shirts with #TinubuMustGo inscription.
The suspects, initially arrested on September 25 in Maiduguri, sparked widespread debate regarding freedom of expression and political tolerance in the state.
The Borno State Police Command claimed the suspects were found in possession of more than just the political apparel, a statement that quickly drew intense controversy.
According to the police, officers recovered 15 wraps of suspected Indian hemp, 100 tablets of suspected D5, a shisha pot, scissors, alongside two of the disputed T-shirts.
While critics swiftly accused law enforcement of targeting peaceful protesters for their political views, the police command vehemently denied the allegations.
The command insisted it remains strictly non-partisan and maintained that the case was forwarded to the judiciary to ensure due process was followed.
Also, the situation was further inflamed by allegations linking Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum to the arrests.
However, the Borno State Government forcefully pushed back against the accusations.
In a statement released by the governor’s special adviser on media, Dauda Iliya, the administration dismissed the ADC’s claims as “impulsive, poorly thought out, and a product of political desperation.”
The government clarified that Governor Zulum never mentioned the #TinubuMustGo group, the ADC, or any specific opposition faction during his media chat, but rather focused his remarks entirely on maintaining security, peace, and public order.
The legal proceedings took a positive turn for the defendants, with Barrister Alkali Askira, chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Garki branch, confirming their release on bail.
While championing the fundamental right to free expression, Barrister Askira used the opportunity to offer a word of caution to the youth, urging them to remain law-abiding and to avoid actions that might inadvertently place them on the wrong side of the law.
The families of the defendants thanked the legal team for standing by their children and encouraged youth in the state to be law-abiding.
