Nigerian Police Ordered to Free 5 Anti-Buhari Activists

Voice of America
28 Jul 2021, 04:35 GMT+10

ABUJA, NIGERIA - A Nigerian court has ordered the secret police to release five suspects detained for wearing T-shirts criticizing President Muhammadu Buhari, their lawyer said Tuesday.

The men were arrested early this month by the Department of State Service (DSS) during a church service led by a well-known evangelical pastor in the Nigerian capital Abuja.

They had been wearing T-shirts with the slogan "Buhari Must Go!" inside the church when they were arrested and detained.

The church was accused of aiding the arrests, but it denied the allegation.

On Monday, the federal high court Abuja ordered the DSS to release the suspects, lawyer Allen Sowore told AFP.

"The judge ordered their release forthwith without any condition. But we have not got a certified true copy of that order," he said.

He said his clients were yet to be freed.

"Unfortunately, the judge has not signed the order. So, we just came here [to the DSS office] thinking that they will act on the order of the court, but they have not acted."

Buhari, a former army commander, has come under fire after his government recently banned Twitter, a move Western allies and critics warned undermined freedom of expression.

Officials announced the ban after Twitter removed a remark from Buhari's personal account for violating its policies.

The Nigerian leader is also under pressure to tackle the country's insecurity.

The security forces are battling an Islamist insurgency in the northeast, a surge in mass kidnappings by criminal gangs in central and northwestern states, and separatist tension in parts of the south.

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Kenya Star.

More Information

null in null

Africa

Section

KL Rahul becomes second Indian after Gavaskar to achieve unique SENA feat

Birmingham [UK], July 5 (ANI): KL Rahul continued his fine overseas run in Test cricket, becoming only the second Indian opener after...

Xinhua Headlines: China's first LEGOLAND resort opens in Shanghai

* China's first LEGOLAND resort opened on Saturday in Shanghai. * Spanning 318,000 square meters, LEGOLAND Shanghai Resort is the...

Vaibhav Suryavanshi smashes fastest U19 ODI century, becomes youngest centurion in this age group

Worcester [UK], July 5 (ANI): India's 14-year-old batting sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi cracked the fastest century in the U19 ODI...

Sanju Samson returns to Kerala Cricket with record-breaking KCL signing

Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) [India], July 5 (ANI): Indian wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson made a record-breaking return to the Kerala...

Xinhua Headlines: BRICS strengthens momentum, stability in Global South cooperation

* In recent years, BRICS has transformed into a major force fostering cooperation among Global South nations. This collaboration not...

Agustin Ramirez, Marlins look to resume torrid pace vs. Brewers

(Photo credit: Eakin Howard-Imagn Images) Catcher Agustin Ramirez, who entered this weekend leading all major-league rookies with...

World

Section