THE CENTRE for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has issued a strong condemnation of the arrest and ongoing detention of Zakariyya Kabeer Gwagwarwa, a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member serving in Katsina State, calling it unlawful and a violation of his fundamental rights.
In a statement released on Tuesday and signed by its Executive Director, YZ Ya’u, CITAD revealed that Gwagwarwa was taken into police custody in Katsina on the alleged directive of a Member of the House of Representatives for the Nassarawa Federal Constituency in Kano State.
The arrest is reportedly linked to a post on the social media platform Facebook, in which Gwagwarwa wrote: “Company Pampers must go Sabuwar Nassarawa 2027 Insha Allahu.” CITAD asserts that the post is a legitimate expression of political commentary and does not incite violence or threaten public order.
“This post in no way incites violence or undermines public order; rather, it falls within his constitutionally protected right to freedom of expression,” Ya’u said, adding: “After several days in detention without access to his family, Zakariyya was eventually brought before a court. Disturbingly, instead of securing his release, the case was adjourned for two weeks, thereby extending his unlawful detention.
“Equally troubling are credible reports that Zakariyya has been subjected to mistreatment in custody, including allegations of physical assault by the police. Such actions are unacceptable and demand urgent redress.”
CITAD drew a parallel between this case and the recent death of a young Imam from Dorayi while in police custody, warning that police detention should never become a site for the extra-judicial torture of individuals who have not been convicted by a court of law.
CITAD is therefore demanding for the “immediate and unconditional release of Zakariyya Kabeer Gwagwarwa” as it also urgently called on the Nigerian judiciary to “uphold the principles of fairness, impartiality, and professionalism, and to resist being used as a tool for political persecution.”
The statement also draws the attention of the Nigeria Police Force to its constitutional duty to protect the rights of citizens, rather than act as “instruments of intimidation for political office holders.”
CITAD cautioned on the health of the nation’s democracy, stating: “Nigeria’s democracy can only thrive where the rights of citizens are respected and the rule of law is upheld.
“Suppressing voices of ordinary Nigerians for exercising their right to free expression is a dangerous step toward authoritarianism and must not be tolerated.”
