A Magistrate Court sitting in Minna has ordered the remand of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai (IBBUL) postgraduate student, Isah Mokwa, in the Minna Correctional Centre till 17th November 2025 for labelling Niger State Governor, Umar Bago, “Governor Amunike.”
SaharaReporters gathered that the police sought the remand order, claiming they were yet to conclude their investigation into allegations of cyberbullying against the student.
Mokwa is facing charges bordering on terrorism, cybercrime, and thuggery over his alleged online posts critical of the governor.
After a series of hide and seek, the First Information Report (FIR) was reportedly shown to Mokwa and his lawyer only on Monday evening when they appeared in court.
It was learnt that the lawyer made an oral bail application since he had been denied access to the FIR earlier, making it impossible to file a written one.
The judge, however, refused the oral bail request and directed that a formal written application be filed instead. The matter was adjourned till 18th November, while a nearer date would be fixed for the hearing of the bail application.
SaharaReporters earlier reported that Mokwa’s arraignment had been delayed due to administrative issues. His lawyer, Ibrahim Usman Wali, said authorities had promised to bring his client to court but failed to do so.
“They claim they’ll bring him but they’re experiencing some administrative delays. We’re suspecting that they’re waiting for the final OK of the CP, who isn’t in yet,” Wali said.
Wali added, “amid bureaucratic reasons, Mokwa, a postgraduate student at Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, remains in custody until tomorrow(today) Saturday, 25 October, as proceedings in his case were adjourned.”
He described the delays as a “familiar bureaucratic tactic” that risks prolonging Mokwa’s detention unnecessarily.
Speaking further, Wali said, “We take this opportunity to reaffirm a simple but fundamental truth: the Nigerian Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to free expression, including the right to criticise government conduct. Governance is a public trust, and those who hold office must accept public scrutiny as part of democratic accountability.”
He added, “Attempts to criminalise dissent or silence constructive voices only weaken the social contract between the people and their government. We therefore urge the authorities, including the Governor, to respect constitutional freedoms and the civic space that sustains democracy.”
Amnesty International had earlier demanded Mokwa’s immediate and unconditional release, describing his arrest as “an attack on freedom of expression” and a stark example of increasing authoritarianism in Niger State.
Leave a Reply