Global human rights watchdog and advocate, the Amnesty International (AI) has described the continued detention and planned prosecution of a student of the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) University, Lapai, Isah Mokwa on the orders of the Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago as “a sham trial based on bogus charges” and “one of the latest symptoms of the alarming backsliding of human rights across Nigeria.”
Accusing Governor Bago of using state power to suppress dissenting voices, the Amnesty International in a statement on Wednesday, posited that the increasing misuse of the police and courts to target critics reflects a growing pattern of human rights violations and a shrinking civic space in the country.
Newsmata.com.ng reports that the hapless student, Abubakar Isah, also known as Isah Mokwa, had been remanded in prison custody until November 17, 2025, over an alleged social media post criticising Governor Bago of Niger State.
The offending post alleged to have defamed “the character and reputation of the Farmer Governor”, stated: “Dear Governor Amunike of Niger State, a serial liar and a comedian over the Mokwa flood victims and Graduate assistance.”
The AI however called on the governor to end what it called “brazen and consistent attacks on freedom and human rights” in Niger State, insisting that he “must comply with Nigeria’s constitution and international law that guarantees the right to freedom of expression”.
Upbraiding Nigerian politicians for using state power to suppress dissent, the group noted that “Nigerian politicians are increasingly abusing their power by locking up their critics. When on the streets, on peaceful protests, Nigerian youths are always met with violent reprisal from the Nigerian authorities, and now their online voices are being silenced as well, through manipulation of the police and weaponisation of the judiciary”.
While demanding the student’s immediate and unconditional release, the AI counseled Governor Bago to engage with public criticism rather than repress it.
The global human rights defender asserted that “Abubakar Mokwa must be released immediately and unconditionally. Governor Umaru Bago should be listening to what his critics are saying instead of using the police to silence them”.
An online publication, SaharaReporters on Tuesday, October 28, cited a police First Information Report (FIR) which showed that the Mokwa Local Government Area chairman, Jibrin Abdullahi Muregi, was responsible for leading a complaint for Mokwa’s arrest and prosecution.
The case was recorded at the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Minna on October 27, 2025.
The police FIR obtained by the online medium listed Mokwa’s alleged offences to include cyber bullying, cyber stalking, inciting disturbance, criminal defamation of character, injurious falsehood, and membership of an unlawful assembly by electronic means.
These contraventions fall under sections 24(1) b&c of the Cyber Crime (Prohibition and Prevention) Act 2024 and several provisions of the Niger State Penal Code Law 2025.
Muregi, the LG Chairman, was said to have filed the complaint after becoming aware of the post targeting the governor.