Excellency

The Nigerian authorities must immediately and unconditionally release Imran Usman Wakili, who has been arbitrarily detained over social media posts alleging low turnout at the presidential campaign flag-off of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Kaduna State. He was also targeted for his staunch support for former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai — who is also unlawfully detained for over 260 days. His detention is unlawful and shows the Nigerian government’s complete disdain for due process. Imran was arrested after security operatives tracked him to his residence in an estate in Karu on the outskirts of Abuja on 29 October. Heavily armed contingent of policemen invaded the estate Imran resides at about 4:30 p.m and asked security personnel to direct them to Mr Wakili’s apartment. Upon realizing Imran was not at home when they arrived, they arrested his younger brother, who lives with him, and the estate manager. Right now, Imran is at the risk of ill-treatment, as he had been denied access to family and lawyer in utter disregard for the rule of law. Clearly, Imran is being punished for his critical and dissenting posts on social media. Imran Wakili did not commit any crime, and his unlawful detention shows abuse of power. It is perfectly within his right to express critical opinion on any matter of public interest. Detaining Imran Wakili solely for exercising his right to freedom of expression is unacceptable and shows contempt for the rule of law. Under international human rights law, the mere fact that a social media post is considered unpalatable by those in power or any public figure is not sufficient to justify arbitrary detention by the police. The government of President Bola Tinubu must end these relentless attacks on human rights.