Shafi’u Tureta, a media aide to the former Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, has reportedly been incarcerated for allegedly making critical remarks about the wife of the Sokoto State Governor, Fatima Ahmad Aliyu.
According to a report by DailyPost, Shafi’u was apprehended and subsequently imprisoned. He was taken into custody by the Sokoto State Police Command in August on grounds of allegedly 'defaming' the First Lady.
This action was prompted by Shafi’u's public criticism of the governor’s wife, who was depicted in a widely circulated video partaking in an extravagant birthday celebration, during which attendees were seen handling dollar bills.
The video, purportedly shared by Shafi’u, an activist, sparked a significant reaction on social media as Nigerians expressed dismay over the perceived squandering of resources, particularly in light of the country’s ongoing economic challenges.
Abdul-Aziz Na’ibi Abubakar, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has advocated for the immediate release of the activist. In a tweet on Monday, Abubakar asserted that Shafi’u was detained for criticizing the “Sokoto First Lady's display of dollars during her birthday festivities, and for condemning the Sokoto State governor's allocation of N1.2 billion for the repair of 25 boreholes.”
Rufa’i Ahmad, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Sokoto Command, confirmed to DAILY POST on Tuesday that the activist was taken into custody in August following a complaint by the First Lady, who alleged character defamation.
Following his arrest, Tureta was brought before the Chief Magistrate Court in Sokoto State, which ordered his confinement in the correctional facility.
In contrast to speculations suggesting that the police detained the suspect for over two weeks, the PPRO clarified that the command “did not detain him. We charged him to court the day after he was arrested.”
“It is not about criticizing the state government because everybody has the right to freedom of speech,” the police spokesman added.
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