Sani Dutsinma
The African Democratic Congress (ADC), Kebbi State Chapter, has raised concerns over what it described as the unlawful arrest and detention of its members across the state, alleging political persecution and abuse of state institutions.
The State Secretary of the party, Abubakar Bawa Kalgo, made the allegation during a press conference held at the party’s secretariat in Birnin Kebbi, the state capital.
Kalgo accused the state government of allegedly using the judiciary and other institutions to undermine democracy and suppress opposition voices, calling for the intervention of the National Judicial Council (NJC) and the Kebbi State Judicial Service Commission.
He urged both the state government and the judiciary to uphold the rule of law, fairness, and democratic principles.
According to him, the ADC State Chairman, Engr. Sufiyanu Bala, who emerged through a congress conducted by the party, was arrested by the Nigeria Police Force based on a warrant issued by a Chief Magistrate Court in Birnin Kebbi.
Kalgo further claimed that attempts to arraign the party chairman before the court were marred by what he described as procedural and substantive irregularities. He alleged that despite objections from the defence counsel, the police proceeded with arraignment, while a request for the presiding magistrate to withdraw over alleged bias was rejected.
He also cited several cases involving party members, including Umar Abubakar (popularly known as Abu Yarima), who was allegedly detained for 25 days over social media-related statements, as well as Husaina Ahmed Jega, Nasiru Garba Hashim, Umar Yakubu Kamba, and others.
The party said it would be filing formal petitions to the National Judicial Council, Kebbi State Judicial Service Commission, Amnesty International, the International Human Rights Commission, and the United States Department of Justice, seeking intervention to protect democratic processes and prevent abuse of state institutions.
However, the Kebbi State Police Command has denied allegations of unlawful detention.
In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bashir Usman, the Command clarified that the detention of Engr. Sufiyanu Bala was carried out strictly in compliance with a valid remand order issued by a Chief Magistrate Court in Birnin Kebbi.
The Police explained that the court ordered his remand pending his appearance before it on Monday, April 27, 2026, for further proceedings, stressing that his custody was not arbitrary.
The Command also disclosed that the ADC chairman was granted access to medical attention after he requested care, adding that he was promptly taken to a medical facility in Birnin Kebbi where he is currently receiving treatment.