40 Days In Prison For Shouting During Govt Speech? Lawyer Raises Alarm Over Executive Interference, Violation Of Rights In Borno As 14 Citizens Remain In Maiduguri Custody

October 4, 2026 Northern Nigeria

Concern has been raised over alleged executive interference with the judiciary and violation of citizens’ rights in Borno State, where about 14 persons have reportedly spent almost 40 days in prison custody for interrupting and shouting during a government official’s speech.

Human rights lawyer and activist, Hamza Nuhu Dantani, who raised the alarm in a statement obtained by Northern Nigeria Hub, questioned how shouting, interrupting or expressing disapproval during a government official’s speech became a criminal offence in Borno State.

According to the First Information Report (FIR) charge sheet dated 14th January 2026, filed at the Chief Magistrate Court, Wulari, MMC, by the Crack Division, the persons listed were allegedly charged over conduct said to include interrupting, shouting at and embarrassing government officials while they were delivering a speech to the public.

The nature of the allegations raises serious questions as to the legal basis for criminalising such conduct, particularly where the facts disclosed do not clearly establish a recognised criminal offence, the lawyer said.

The charge sheet reads that on 30th day of December 2025 at about 1430hrs, one Umar Sanda Mohammed, Yahaya Mohammed, Mohammed Ali, Liti Adamu, Abubakar Dauda, Hussani Umar, Yunusa Suleiman, Suleiman Mohammed, Mohammed Ali, Idris Yusuf, Yahaya Mohammed Ummate and others known as Warrata, Na Hannun Gomna, Yambo and One Five, now at large, criminally conspired among themselves as political thugs aka Ecomog by following the convoy of Government officials from Maiduguri to Gubio Local Government Area and started interrupting, shouting and embarrassing Government official while delivering his speech to the public and this has been your known behaviour to political office holders at any occasion within the state.

During police investigation, you all confessed to the commission of the crime, thereby committing an offence punishable under Sections 60(1), 78, 116(A) and 393 of Borno State Penal Code Law 2023 as amended.

Even more disturbing is the allegation that the Borno State Government directed the Chief Magistrate not to grant the accused persons bail, and that bail was subsequently refused.

If this allegation is correct, it raises a grave constitutional concern about executive interference with the independence of the judiciary. The question of whether to grant or refuse bail is a judicial function to be exercised by the court according to the law and the circumstances of the case — not according to the instructions or preferences of the Executive, Dantani warned.

What makes the situation even more disturbing is that these citizens have now reportedly spent almost 40 days in prison custody in Maiduguri, despite the fact that they remain presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The allegations therefore raise serious concerns about their right to personal liberty, presumption of innocence, fair hearing, freedom of expression and the right to peacefully participate in public affairs.

Those accused include:

Umar Sanda Mohammed
Yahaya Mohammed
Mohammed Ali
Abubakar Dauda
Hussaini Umar
Yunusa Suleima
Sulaiman Mohammed
Liti Adamu
Idris Yusuf
Mohammed Ali
Others reportedly known as Warrata, Na Hannun Gomna, Yambo and One Five.

The central question remains: If the allegation is merely that citizens interrupted, shouted or expressed their disagreement during a government speech, what specific offence under Nigerian law have they committed?

And if the allegation that the Executive directed the court on bail is true, then this matter goes beyond the individual detainees. It raises a fundamental question about the rule of law, separation of powers and the independence of the judiciary in Borno State.

“No government should be above the Constitution. No citizen should be deprived of liberty simply because his expression or criticism is inconvenient to those in authority,” the lawyer stated.

“Almost 40 days in prison for conduct that, on the face of the charge sheet, appears to concern shouting and interrupting a government speech should concern every person who believes in constitutional democracy, fundamental rights and the rule of law.”

The First Information Report (FIR) Charge Sheet Filed At CMC Court Wulari On 14/01/2026