Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Adamawa State Police Command and the Nigerian Correctional Service are facing mounting criticism after they reportedly defied a court order directing the immediate release of 42 residents of Mubi who have been held in custody without trial. The order, issued by a competent court, was expected to secure the freedom of the detainees, many of whom have spent months behind bars. But more than 48 hours after the court's directive, the 42 individuals remain locked up, and authorities have offered no explanation for their refusal to comply.
The detainees were among those swept up in a major security operation in Mubi and surrounding communities in May 2026, when security forces conducted a massive raid targeting criminal hideouts. At the time, the Chief Magistrate Court 2 sitting in Yola ordered the remand of 47 suspects arrested during the operation. However, the 42 individuals in question were not among those remanded by the court. According to sources familiar with the matter, they were detained without proper charges and have been held illegally, prompting their legal representatives to approach the court for relief.
The court, after reviewing the facts, ruled that the detention of the 42 individuals was unlawful and ordered their immediate release. The order was clear and unambiguous. But the police and correctional authorities have reportedly refused to act on it. When family members and lawyers arrived at the correctional facility in Mubi on August 6, 2026, they were turned away. The facility's gates remained locked, and no explanation was given for the non-compliance. Efforts to reach senior police and correctional officials for comment were unsuccessful as of press time.
This brazen disregard for judicial authority has drawn sharp condemnation from human rights groups and civil society organisations. The Nigerian Observatory for Human Rights has described the situation as a "flagrant violation of the rule of law" and called on the Inspector-General of Police and the Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service to intervene immediately. "When a court speaks, all agencies of the state are bound to obey. The refusal to release these 42 individuals is not just an insult to the judiciary; it is an assault on the fundamental rights of every Nigerian," the group said in a statement.
The case has also reignited concerns about the treatment of detainees in Adamawa State. The Adamawa State High Court previously ordered the police to pay N5 million in damages to a man who was illegally detained for five years without trial. That case, involving Hammandu Musa, highlighted a troubling pattern of unlawful detention in the state. Now, the refusal to obey a court order in the case of the 42 Mubi residents suggests that the problem persists, and that those responsible for enforcing the law are themselves willing to break it.
Residents of Mubi, a commercial hub in northern Adamawa State, have expressed outrage over the situation. Many have taken to social media to voice their frustration, accusing the security agencies of treating the community with contempt. "These people have families who are suffering. They have been locked away for months without any charge. Now a court has said they should be freed, and still they are not released. Where is the justice?" one resident asked.
The Adamawa State Government has yet to comment on the matter. Governor Ahmadu Fintiri's administration has previously taken steps to address prison congestion and unlawful detention. But in this case, the government's silence has been deafening. Critics argue that the executive must hold the security agencies accountable and ensure that court orders are respected, regardless of political or operational considerations.
For the 42 detainees and their families, each passing day in custody is a fresh wound. They have already spent months behind bars, separated from their loved ones, unable to work or provide for their families. The court's order was supposed to end that suffering. Instead, they remain trapped in a system that refuses to acknowledge the authority of the courts. Their lawyers are now considering filing contempt proceedings against the police and correctional officials, a move that could force them to obey the order or face legal sanctions.
The situation in Mubi is a test of Nigeria's commitment to the rule of law. When security agencies flout court orders with impunity, they undermine the very foundation of democratic governance. They send a message that the rights of citizens are secondary to the convenience of those in power. The 42 Mubi residents are not just individuals; they are symbols of a deeper crisis in Nigeria's justice system. Their continued detention is a stain on the conscience of the nation. The police and correctional authorities must obey the court order immediately and release these men and women without further delay.
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