By Ibrahim Muhammad, Kano The Kwankwasiyya Movement has commended Amnesty International for its investigation and intervention o...
By Ibrahim Muhammad, Kano
The Kwankwasiyya Movement has commended Amnesty International for its investigation and intervention over alleged arrests, detention, intimidation and harassment of critics of the Kano State Government.
In a press statement issued on Tuesday, 30th September 2026 and signed by its Spokesperson, Dr. Habibu Sale Mohammed, the Movement said the Amnesty report independently confirms what it has consistently raised about shrinking democratic space in Kano State and what appears to be a sustained effort to silence opposition voices, particularly members and supporters of the Kwankwasiyya Movement.
According to the statement, the Amnesty report identified several individuals allegedly affected by the clampdown, including Abba Ibrahim Kofar Nasarawa, popularly known as Aiha K Nass; Alhaji Murtala Muhammad Dawanau; Fatima Dayyabu; Maryam Usman, popularly known as Golden Queen; Muhammad Ahmad; Hafsat Muhammad Sauwama Kauwama; Khadija Garba Kadnass; Ismail Hassan Hussain Lajin Dala; and Isa Zanna Isa. It also raised concerns over threats and intimidation allegedly directed at Zaidu Magaji.
The Movement said if a citizen can be arrested and detained because of his political opinions or criticism of government, it becomes an issue concerning every citizen's constitutional right to freedom of expression.
The group particularly expressed concern over the case of Aiha K Nass, whose continued detention since August it described as deeply troubling.
It stated that Aiha K Nass was arrested and brought before the Shari'a Court, Ungogo Division, where his application for bail was initially refused and was subsequently granted subject to stringent conditions.
"One of the conditions, as understood by the Movement, requires him to produce two serving Permanent Secretaries and an employee of the Kano State Government as sureties. The practical consequence is that, despite the grant of bail, he remains in detention because he has been unable to satisfy those conditions," the statement said.
The Movement said the development raises serious questions about access to bail and the proportionality of conditions imposed on a citizen who is presumed innocent until proven guilty, adding that the circumstances surrounding his arrest appear closely connected to his outspoken criticism of the government.
The Kwankwasiyya Movement disclosed that it has petitioned the Chief Judge of Kano State and the Kano State Judicial Service Commission concerning the conduct and circumstances surrounding the proceedings before the Shari'a Court, Ungogo Division.
"Where there are concerns about the conduct of any judicial proceeding, the appropriate response in a democracy is to seek review, accountability and redress through the institutions established by law," it said.
The group stressed that the petition should not be interpreted as an isolated action concerning one individual, but represents its clear position that any attempt to intimidate, harass, silence or unlawfully restrict the rights of its members or other citizens will be challenged through every legitimate legal and institutional avenue.
"We will not respond to intimidation with violence. We will not encourage our members to take the law into their own hands. Instead, we will continue to use petitions, complaints, legal representation, judicial review, constitutional remedies and every other lawful means available under Nigerian law to defend the rights of our members and citizens," the Movement stated.
It commended its members for pursuing the matters through lawful channels rather than resorting to confrontation, saying it demonstrates that political opposition can be firm, courageous and principled while remaining committed to the rule of law.
The Movement urged all its members and supporters to remain steadfast, peaceful and law-abiding in the face of any attempt to intimidate or silence opposition voices in Kano State, insisting that citizens must be allowed to criticize government and public officials within the bounds of the law.
"A governor, minister, president or any other public official cannot be placed beyond scrutiny merely because of the office he or she occupies. Similarly, expressing a political opinion on social media should not, by itself, become a justification for arbitrary detention," it said.
The group called on the Kano State Government, security agencies and all relevant institutions to respect the fundamental rights of citizens to freedom of expression and association, and called for an urgent and impartial review of cases involving persons allegedly detained or prosecuted primarily in connection with their political expression, including the case of Aiha K Nass and others identified by Amnesty International.
It equally called on the judiciary to protect its independence and ensure that every citizen who comes before the courts receives fair and impartial treatment in accordance with the law.
"Let nobody provoke us into abandoning the path of law, our response will continue to be constitutional, peaceful and lawful," the statement added.
No comments