Mary Akanbi
26th July, 2025
LOKOJA, KOGI STATE – July 23, 2025 – The ALAT Foundation, through its Trustee, H.A. Muhammed Jamiu, ESQ., unequivocally rejects and corrects the deeply misleading and factually inaccurate statements disseminated by the Kogi State Commissioner for Information regarding the protracted and unjust ordeal of Mr. Sadiq Abdulhameed. The Commissioner’s attempt to sanitize the egregious actions of the Kogi State Government is a disservice to the truth and a dangerous affront to justice and fundamental human rights.
Let us be abundantly clear about the facts, which the Commissioner for Information conveniently omits or misrepresents:
1. Five Months of Unlawful Detention, Not a “Minor Incident”:
Mr. Sadiq Abdulhameed was arrested without a warrant on February 17, 2025, solely for a Facebook post. He was then subjected to a harrowing ordeal of over five months of detention without formal arraignment or the service of a charge from the Federal High Court until July 18, 2025. This prolonged incarceration, based on a purported “criticism,” is a flagrant, undeniable violation of his fundamental rights to personal liberty and a fair hearing, as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution. To characterize this as anything less than a severe abuse of power is an insult to the intelligence of the public.
2. “Release” Was a Strategic Maneuver, Not an Acquittal:
The Commissioner’s narrative glosses over the critical detail of Mr. Abdulhameed’s recent “release.” This was not an act of benevolence or an admission of his innocence by the state. Instead, his release from the Magistrate Court was PREDICATED ON THE WITHDRAWAL OF THE FIRST INFORMATION REPORT (FIR). This is a legal maneuver, not an exoneration. It served to clear the path for the state to pursue the matter at a higher court, effectively shifting the venue of persecution, not ending it.
3. The Unrelenting Pursuit: Federal High Court Arraignment on July 24th:
The most glaring omission in the Commissioner’s statement is the critical fact that Mr. Abdulhameed remains under the imminent threat of legal action. He is still scheduled for arraignment on July 24, 2025, at the Federal High Court. This demonstrates a deliberate and continuous effort by the Kogi State Government to harass, intimidate, and silence Mr. Abdulhameed. His temporary freedom from one charge has merely paved the way for another, more significant legal battle. This is not justice; it is a clear pattern of judicial weaponization against a citizen exercising his right to freedom of expression.
4. The Undeniable Role of the Accountant General and Kogi State Government:
The ALAT Foundation stands firm on its assertion that the Accountant General of Kogi State, Habiba Onumoku, and by extension, the Kogi State Government, are directly implicated in and responsible for Mr. Abdulhameed’s unjust predicament. The facts speak for themselves: an arrest without a warrant, prolonged detention, and a relentless pursuit across different court levels, all stemming from a social media post. The Commissioner’s attempts to absolve the state of responsibility are not only disingenuous but also highlight a troubling lack of accountability within the government.
The ALAT Foundation is committed to upholding justice and protecting the fundamental human rights of every Nigerian. We have engaged D’ Independent Attorneys to aggressively pursue all necessary legal avenues to ensure Mr. Abdulhameed receives a genuinely fair hearing at the Federal High Court and to hold every individual and entity responsible for this egregious overreach of power fully accountable.
We implore the judiciary, human rights organizations, and the discerning public to see through the thinly veiled propaganda of the Kogi State Commissioner for Information. The actions taken against Mr. Abdulhameed represent a dangerous precedent that threatens civic space and freedom of speech in Kogi State.
The ALAT Foundation will continue to monitor this case with unwavering resolve and will expose any further attempts to pervert justice or silence critical voices.
E-Signed,
