A civil rights group, Centre for Reform and Public Advocacy, has raised an alarm over alleged misuse of the courts, particularly, Magistrate and Area Courts by officials of Kebbi State government to harass and intimidate political opponents in the state.
The group said the misuse of the lower courts had become worrisome as over 20 innocent people considered to be political opponents have been jailed through frivolous charges.
The head of Legal Services of the Centre, Barrister Kalu Kalu Agu, at a press briefing in Abuja, alleged in a petition that the government of Kebbi State is weaponising security and judicial apparatus to oppress and intimidate dissenting voices.
At the joint media briefing with the African Democratic Congress Legal Support Forum, the group urged all courts within Kebbi State to uphold judicial independence and resist being used as political tools for the oppression of citizens.
Among those alleged to have been unjustly arrested and convicted on false narrations are Ibrahim Adamu Augie for publishing a video on health issues in Kebbi. Mukhtar Dan Baturiya for allegedly airing views considered by the state officials as anti- government.
Others said to have been arrested and made to suffer same fates are Ahmad Tijjani Musa and Ibrahim Bature who were said to have run into trouble with the state government men for exercising their fundamental right of commenting on public matters.
“These are just a few examples among many. Each represents a violation of constitutionally protected freedoms, a misuse of state power, and a betrayal of public trust.
“The pattern is consistent: citizens who voice dissatisfaction or raise awareness about public issues are targeted by the state machinery, prosecuted on frivolous charges, and punished in a manner designed to suppress broader dissent.
“The Centre and the Forum are also in possession of credible reports and firsthand testimonies of several other victims who have suffered prolonged detention, psychological trauma, social stigmatization, and economic loss as a result of these unlawful actions.
“Many have been coerced into silence through fear of further persecution, thereby creating a climate of fear and repression in Kebbi State. The cumulative effect is the erosion of civic space, the suppression of democratic freedoms, and the collapse of public trust in institutions meant to protect justice and liberty.
“These individuals are often summoned under dubious pretenses, arrested without warrant, denied access to legal representation, coerced to write statements and to admit charges, and held in custody beyond the constitutionally allowed duration” Agu stated.
He disclosed that in many instances, the charges brought against these persons are not only frivolous and baseless, but are concocted to suit a political narrative.
Offences such as “public nuisance,” “inciting public disturbance,” and “defamation” according to Agu, have been routinely and wrongfully invoked to criminalize speech and stifle freedom of expression.
The group claimed that the roles of Magistrates and Area courts in the repression has become concerning as the lower courts often lend legitimacy to abuses by entertaining meritless charges and issuing harsh sentences without proper legal scrutiny or regard for due process.
“The weaponization of the security and justice system to punish dissent is an abuse of power that threatens not only Kebbi State but the rule of law in Nigeria as a whole, Agu stated.
The group therefore demanded “an immediate investigation into the conduct of the Kebbi State Government, security agencies, and judicial officers involved in the repression and persecution of opposition voices.
Also, the Centre sought the identification and disciplinary action against officers of the Nigeria Police Force and DSS who have acted outside the scope of their authority in unlawfully arresting and detaining citizens.
Besides, the group requested the immediate release and compensation of all individuals currently in detention or those wrongfully convicted for exercising their constitutional rights to free speech and civic engagement.
The lawyer demanded the monitoring of human rights situation in Kebbi State by national and international organizations, with a view to halting the normalization of state-sponsored persecution.
