“Your Excellency, Free Them”: Lawyer Appeals To Zulum To Intervene, Release 5 Detained Over ‘ Tinubu Must Go’ T-Shirts
A lawyer and human rights activist, Hamza N. Dantani Esq., has appealed to Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, to personally intervene and facilitate the release of five persons arrested and remanded over ” Tinubu Must Go” T-shirts.
In an open letter dated 01/10/2026 to the Governor, Dantani said he has carefully considered the press statement issued by Alhaji Dauda Iliya, Spokesperson to the Governor, exonerating Zulum from any involvement in or prior knowledge of the arrest, detention and prosecution.
The letter stated that the Government made it clear that Zulum neither directed nor authorized their arrest.
“Your Excellency, we wish to make it abundantly clear that we are not your enemies, nor do we have any interest whatsoever in painting you in a bad light,” Dantani said, noting that his intervention is borne out of concern for fundamental rights, rule of law and to prevent recurrence of citizens being arrested for expressing views.
He said following precedents where individuals faced arrest after airing opinions on matters of public interest, he initially raised concerns on the case, but now accepts the clarification in good faith.
He therefore appealed to Zulum to go a step further by intervening.
“We would greatly appreciate Your Excellency if, through your intervention, these persons could be released, subject to whatever lawful procedure may be required,” he said, adding that such intervention would demonstrate commitment to fairness, justice and tolerance.
Dantani raised a second serious concern — that the explanation publicly given by the Police concerning the alleged offences appears to differ materially from the particulars contained in the actual charge sheet filed before the court.
“What the Police have publicly alleged against or linked these suspects with appears materially different from the offences for which they were actually brought before the court and remanded in prison,” he said.
He argued that there is no credible evidence connecting the persons with the offences publicly alleged and that their continued detention deserves urgent reconsideration.
He urged Zulum to direct the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice to examine the circumstances and where legally permissible, discontinue prosecution or facilitate lawful release.
“This appeal is not intended to undermine the authority of the court or interfere with judicial proceedings. Rather, it is an appeal for the appropriate executive authorities to examine whether the continued prosecution serves any legitimate public interest, particularly where the underlying allegation concerns the expression of a political opinion.”
The lawyer concluded that Borno has endured years of insecurity and every opportunity to promote peace, tolerance and confidence between Government and citizens should be embraced.
