The African Democratic Congress ADC, Kebbi State chapter, has cried out over the alleged unlawful arrest and detention of its members across the state.
The State Secretary of the party, Abubakar Bawa Kalgo, disclosed this during a press conference held at the party’s headquarters in Birnin Kebbi, the state capital.
Kalgo alleged that Kebbi State authorities are using the judiciary and other government institutions to undermine democracy, suppress opposition voices, and called for intervention by the National Judicial Council and the Kebbi State Judicial Service Commission.
According to him, the ADC Kebbi State chapter strongly calls on the Kebbi State Government and the judiciary to uphold the rule of law, fairness, and democratic principles.
He stated that the party’s chairman, Engr. Sufiyanu Bala, who emerged following the successful conduct of congresses, was arrested by the Nigeria Police Force on a warrant issued by Chief Magistrate Court I, Birnin Kebbi.
Kalgo added that several attempts were made to arraign Bala before the same court, but these efforts failed due to what he described as procedural and substantive irregularities.
He further explained that despite this, the Nigeria Police Force proceeded with the arraignment, apparently at the insistence of the Magistrate Court.
Counsel to Sufiyanu Bala, Barrister A.A. Fingilla, applied for the presiding magistrate to recuse himself on the grounds of bias, but the application was overruled, prompting counsel to walk out of the court.
The party Secretary also cited several cases as references to the alleged arrest and detention of its members, which include Umar Abubakar, also known as Abu Yarima, who was detained for 25 days over alleged political statements on social media, as well as Husaina Ahamed Jega, Nasiru Garba Hashim, and Umar Yakubu Kamba, among others.
According to him, the party has resolved to initiate formal appeals and petitions to the National Judicial Council, Kebbi State Judicial Service Commission, International Human Rights Commission, Amnesty International, and the United States Department of Justice to intervene and safeguard Nigeria’s democracy from the abuse of government institutions by partisan and compromised actors.
Commenting, the Kebbi State Police Command has categorically refuted reports alleging the unlawful detention of Engr. Sufiyanu Bala of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), stating that he is in police custody strictly in compliance with a valid remand order issued by the Chief Magistrate Court, Birnin Kebbi, pending his appearance before the court on Monday, 27th April 2026, for further proceedings.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Bashir Usman, in a statement issued to journalists, emphasized that Bala’s custody is solely pursuant to a judicial directive and not an arbitrary or unlawful action by the police.
The Command further confirmed that on the same day he was taken into custody, Engr. Sufiyanu Bala requested medical attention, which was promptly granted, and he was taken to a medical facility in Birnin Kebbi, where he is currently receiving appropriate care.
COV/ SANI DUTSINMA
