Borno Gov Arrests NNPP Candidate For Addressing Himself As ‘His Excellency’
Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has ordered the arrest and prosecution of Attom Magira, a 2023 senatorial candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), for referring to himself as “His Excellency” on a billboard in Maiduguri.
Magira was arrested on 22 December 2024 by the Borno State Police Command and detained for ten days before charges were filed against him.
Court documents accuse him of impersonating the governor by using the title “HE ATTOM MUH’D MAGIRA” on the billboard.
He is also accused of inciting public disturbance with the slogan “Say Yes to Merger,” which the government claims was “likely to cause a breach of public peace.”
Human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju criticised the arrest in a post on X, on Wednesday, saying, “Look at the embarrassing things Zulum is doing in Borno. He arrested an opposition guy because his support group put up a billboard for him then drafted this childish charge against him after locking the man up for 10 days. Then planning to revoke his land.”
The charges, filed by the Borno State Attorney General, Hauwa Abubakar Isa, and others from the Ministry of Justice, cite Sections 97 and 79 of the Borno State Penal Code Law, 2023.
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The first count states: “That you, Attom Magira Tom ‘m’ 43′ yrs old, on or about the 22/12/2024, at about 2000 hrs at Bulumkutu along Maiduguri-Kano Road, Maiduguri, which is within the jurisdiction of this honourable Court, did commit an illegal act, to wit; falsely personated His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Borno State, in that you mounted your picture on a Bill-Board and addressed yourself as HE ATTOM MUH’D MAGIRA and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 97 of the Penal Code Law of Borno State, 2023.”
The second count reads: “That you, Attom Magira Tom ‘m’ ’43’ yrs old, on or about the 22/12/2024, at about 2000 hrs at Bulumkutu along Maiduguri-Kano Road, Maiduguri, which is within the jurisdiction of this honourable Court, did commit an illegal act, to wit; inciting public disturbance, in that you mounted your picture on a Bill-Board with the inscription ‘SAY YES to MERGER, knowing that same was likely to cause a breach of public peace and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 79 of the Penal Code Law of Borno State, 2023.”
On 24 January 2025, the Borno State Urban Planning and Development Board (BOUPDB) issued a notice revoking Magira’s development permit.
The letter, signed by General Manager Tpl. Liman Gana Mustapha, states: “Sequel to the letters ref BSUPDB/DC/021/vol.1/13 and your Consultant HASEEB ENGINEERING LIMITED recommendation ref: HEC/ST/24/025 dated 20th June, 2024 and 24th June, 2024 respectively, which you have failed to address them.
The Board has now resolved to invoke section 51 of the law establishing it.
In view of the above, the Development Permit issued to you in respect of the Commercial Development is hereby revoked.
Subsequently, this letter also serves as Demolition Notice to both the illegal 5th floor of the Commercial Development or the whole development and the Multi Purpose Hall which you have constructed without obtaining approval from the Board.
Therefore, you are directed to remove the 5th floor and demolish the other unapproved multipurpose development as well as to relocate the fence to align with the property line within seven (7) days of receipt of this letter.
Failure to comply within the stipulated time, the Board will undertake the removal/demolition and cost recovered from you as stipulated by the enabling law.
However, you are advised in your interest to remove the illegal 5th floor by yourself as the Board will not guarantee to salvage the rest of the floors if it were to undertake the removal by it.”
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
