Amnesty International Nigeria has raised alarm over the detention of Abubakar Salim Musa, who has been remanded at Keffi Prison in Nasarawa State ahead of what the organization describes as a planned “sham trial” based on “bogus charges.”
In a statement on Sunday, the rights group said the case against Salim highlights the growing threats to freedom of expression in Nigeria, particularly for young people who use online platforms to voice their opinions. Amnesty International noted that many young Nigerians have increasingly faced intimidation, arrest, illegal detention and harassment for expressing dissenting views on social media.
According to the organization, Salim committed no crime and the actions taken against him are intended to silence criticism. Amnesty International stressed that the right to criticize government officials is protected under Nigerian and international human rights law, regardless of the official’s position or status.
The group called on authorities to immediately respect Salim’s rights and to end what it described as the misuse of the criminal justice system to suppress peaceful expression.
