HURIWA Demands Immediate Release Of Detained Nasarawa Activist Oscar Keana

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has called for the immediate release of Nasarawa-based activist, Abdulkarim Allanana, popularly known as Oscar Keana, who is being detained over alleged false information against Governor Abdullahi Sule.

HURIWA, in a statement issued on Wednesday by its national coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, expressed concern over the continued detention and recent transfer of the activist, warning against the alleged use of the criminal justice system to silence critics of government.

Oscar, a media activist and leader of the Indigenous People of Nasarawa State, was reportedly remanded by the Federal High Court sitting in Lafia after he was arraigned by the Department of State Services (DSS) on a two-count charge bordering on alleged false information against the governor.

The court has adjourned the case until November 26 for hearing of his bail application.

HURIWA said it had been informed that Oscar was subsequently transferred from the Lafia Custodial Centre to the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Nasarawa.

The rights group questioned the rationale for the transfer, particularly as the activist had not been convicted of any offence.

It also expressed concern over reports that additional charges could be brought against him, although it stressed that it had not independently verified the alleged plan.

HURIWA warned that if fresh charges were being contemplated merely to frustrate the activist’s release or prolong his detention, such a move would amount to an abuse of the criminal justice process.

According to the group, public office holders must tolerate criticism within the bounds of the law, stressing that holding public office does not confer the authority to suppress dissenting voices.

“Public office is not a licence to silence criticism. A governor is not a monarch. A critic is not a criminal merely because his words are inconvenient,” HURIWA said.

The organisation urged the authorities to allow the prosecution to present its evidence before the court if an offence had been committed, while ensuring that the judicial process was allowed to determine the matter.

It also cautioned against turning pre-trial detention into punishment, stressing the importance of the presumption of innocence, personal liberty, freedom of expression and the right to criticise government.

HURIWA appealed to the judiciary to remain vigilant against any process capable of unnecessarily depriving the accused of his liberty or frustrating his right to a fair hearing.

It also called on Governor Sule, the DSS, the Nigerian Correctional Service and relevant judicial authorities to ensure that Keana was not subjected to an abuse of state power.

The group maintained that the strength of a democracy should be measured by the ability of those in authority to tolerate dissent and allow the courts to resolve disputes according to law.

“Free Oscar Keana now. Let the court decide his case. Let democracy breathe,” HURIWA said.