Amnesty International has expressed concern over the arrest and continued detention of Bello Badejo by the Department of State Services, describing the development as an apparent abuse of power and a violation of due process.
According to the organisation, Badejo was allegedly arrested by operatives of the DSS on 7 May 2026 in Jalingo before being transferred to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Amnesty International stated that the authorities should either formally charge him to court if there is credible evidence of wrongdoing or release him immediately, rather than subjecting him to what it described as indefinite detention.
The rights group alleged that the detention appeared politically motivated and warned against the use of security and anti-corruption agencies as instruments for political intimidation.
In a statement, the organisation stressed that every citizen has the right to participate freely in the social and political affairs of the country without fear of harassment, intimidation or arbitrary arrest.
Amnesty International further urged Nigerian security and anti-corruption agencies to uphold the rule of law and respect constitutional rights in the discharge of their duties.
The organisation maintained that arbitrary arrests, prolonged detention and undue restrictions on freedom of association and movement undermine democratic principles and public confidence in state institutions.
Neither the DSS nor the EFCC had officially responded to the allegations as of the time of filing this report.
