Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Amnesty International has raised serious human rights concerns over the ongoing detention of Kabiru Ibrahim Dallah, describing his case as part of an alarming pattern of repression in Nigeria that targets dissenting voices. Dallah, a critic of a senior Nasarawa State government official, has now been held in Lafia Prison for more than 40 days, prompting international calls for his unconditional release and renewed scrutiny of civic space in the country.
According to a statement issued by Amnesty International, Dallah’s arrest and continued imprisonment followed his alleged criticism of Mr. Laraban Shu’aibu Magaji, the Secretary to the Government of Nasarawa State. Rights advocates assert the charges against him are dubious and politically motivated, aimed not at any legitimate offence but at punishing him for expressing his views — conduct that, if proven, would represent a clear violation of fundamental rights.
Amnesty International described the case as a troubling example of governance structures weaponising the justice system against critics. The organisation reiterated that Dallah’s detention — and the repeated denial of bail — appears to be “a sham designed to punish him for exercising his right to freedom of expression”, and constitutes an abuse of power by authorities.
“This case reflects a worrying pattern of repression against individuals who exercise their right to freedom of expression,” Amnesty International said in its statement. “Kabiru Dallah is being punished for expressing his opinion, and his treatment is unacceptable. He must be released immediately and unconditionally.”
The rights group also highlighted the broader chilling effect that arbitrary arrests and detentions have on Nigerian youth and civil society at large. It noted that young Nigerians increasingly face harassment, intimidation, and punitive measures simply for sharing their views on social media or engaging in online political discourse — activities which should be protected under constitutional and international human rights standards.
While Amnesty did not provide detailed legal documentation of the specific charges against Dallah, its criticism aligns with longstanding concerns about Nigeria’s treatment of individuals detained for political expression. Human rights organisations have previously documented multiple cases where critics of government actions — including protest leaders, journalists, and activists — have been arrested, charged with vague offences, or held without due process.
Amnesty’s broader advocacy underscores the pressing need for Nigerian authorities to uphold freedom of expression, assembly and due process protections. In past reports and campaigns, the organisation emphasised that the right to critique government officials, policies, and actions is fundamental to democratic participation and should not be criminalised or suppressed through the legal system.
In addition to Amnesty International’s call, civil society groups within Nigeria have increasingly drawn attention to similar patterns of arbitrary detention and intimidation. Wider campaigns for human rights reform have persistently spotlighted cases where citizens face punitive legal action after criticising public officials or reporting perceived abuses, illustrating deeper tensions between state power and civic freedoms.
The situation in Nasarawa State, therefore, is not isolated. Human rights observers argue it echoes earlier instances documented by international advocacy groups where individuals were arrested or detained without clear legal foundation, prompting widespread criticism of Nigeria’s commitment to upholding international human rights norms.
As Dallah remains in custody with bail repeatedly denied, pressure on Nasarawa authorities mounts from both domestic and global voices urging respect for constitutional liberties and the right of citizens to express dissent without fear of reprisal. The outcome of this case is likely to be closely watched by civil rights defenders, legal experts, and ordinary Nigerians concerned about the future of free speech and the rule of law in the country.
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