By Headlinenews.news Desk | Special Governance & Civil Liberties Report.
As political scrutiny intensifies around former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, renewed attention has turned toward civil-liberty allegations linked to his eight-year administration, with journalists, activists, and government critics revisiting claims of arrests, detentions, and intimidation between 2015 and 2023.
While supporters continue to defend his leadership as reform-driven and security-focused, critics insist the period witnessed clampdowns on dissenting voices — particularly among media practitioners and social commentators.
Journalists’ Arrest Allegations.
Among the most cited cases are three Kaduna-based journalists reportedly arrested following critical reportage on the state government.
They include:
• Luka Binniyat — then of Vanguard Newspaper, detained over security reports critical of the administration. Press-freedom groups raised concerns about his health condition while in custody.
• Midat Joseph — linked to Leadership Newspapers, reportedly arrested in connection with critical publications.
• Jacob Dickson — of Authentic News, also alleged to have faced detention tied to media criticism.
Advocacy organisations at the time argued that arrests connected to journalism risked chilling press freedom, though state authorities maintained such actions were based on security or legal complaints rather than suppression of the media.
Abduction & Torture Claim: Bashir Ahmad.
Another case resurfacing in civic narratives involves Bashir Ahmad, a Tudun Wada resident allegedly abducted in 2017 after criticising the government.
In testimonies referenced by former Senator Shehu Sani, Bashir Ahmad claimed he was taken to a remote detention location along the Kaduna-Abuja corridor and tortured alongside other detainees.
He alleged his abductors were masked operatives he believed to be security personnel.
These claims remain publicly disputed and were never conclusively adjudicated in court.
The Dadiyata Disappearance.
The disappearance of Abubakar Idris (“Dadiyata”) remains one of the most internationally highlighted cases.
A vocal social-media critic, he was abducted from his Barnawa residence on 1 August 2019 by armed men.
His whereabouts remain unknown.
Civil-society groups demanded investigations, while the Kaduna State Government denied involvement and security agencies stated inquiries were ongoing.
Social Media Critics
Detention Claims.
Further names cited by advocacy voices include:
• Dr. John Danfulani
• Nasir Jagaba
• Steven Kefas
• Segun Onibiyo
They were allegedly detained over online criticism of the government on their social media handles.
Authorities historically framed such arrests within public-order or incitement laws, though rights groups contested those grounds.
Legal Framework & Prosecutorial Threshold.
Where proven, unlawful arrests or detentions fall under constitutional and criminal violations.
Section 35 of the Constitution provides:
“Every person shall be entitled to his personal liberty…”
Section 34 further states:
“No person shall be subjected to torture or to inhuman or degrading treatment.”
Freedom of criticism is also protected.
Section 39 guarantees:
“Freedom of expression… to receive and impart ideas and information without interference.”
Criminal liability may arise under the Criminal Code Act.
Section 104 provides:
“Any public officer who does… any arbitrary act prejudicial to the rights of another is guilty of a misdemeanour.”
Torture is expressly criminalised under the Anti-Torture Act 2017, which states:
“Torture is hereby prohibited.”
Nigerian Case-Law Precedents.
Courts have historically ruled against unlawful detention and abuse of power.
Fawehinmi v. IGP (2002) affirmed that security agencies must operate within constitutional liberty safeguards.
Jim-Jaja v. COP Rivers State (2013) held that detention without lawful justification violates fundamental rights.
Abacha v. Fawehinmi (2000) reinforced that no authority is above the Constitution in matters of rights enforcement.
These precedents establish that public officials — including governors after leaving office — may face investigation or prosecution where credible evidence of rights violations exists.
Governance Context.
Kaduna during El-Rufai’s tenure remained security-volatile, confronting banditry, sectarian violence, and rural massacres.
Officials argued firm enforcement measures were necessary to maintain order.
Critics maintain security enforcement must coexist with civil-liberty protections — particularly press freedom and dissent rights.
Legacy Under Review.
As political realignments gather pace toward 2027, retrospective governance scrutiny is intensifying.
El-Rufai’s legacy remains polarised:
Supporters cite reforms and infrastructure expansion.
Critics highlight civil-liberty concerns and dissent suppression.
National Patriots.
The National Patriots Movement stresses that democracy thrives on dissent, accountability, and press freedom.
Any proven unlawful detention or intimidation of critics must face legal scrutiny.
No public official is above the law.
Nigeria’s democratic strength depends on protecting civil liberties even amid security pressures and political disagreements.
Headlinenews.news Special Investigative Report.
