NBA Demands Release of NNPP Chairmanship Candidate Detained in Niger
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Minna Branch, has called on the Niger State Police Command to immediately release Abdulmalik Usman Nagenu, the New Nigeria Peoples’ Party (NNPP) chairmanship candidate in the November 1, 2025, Bida Local Government election.
Nagenu has been in police custody since November 4, 2025, following the omission of his name and party logo from the ballot paper.
In a statement, the NBA said the matter should have been addressed through an election tribunal rather than detention, warning that holding a candidate without a defined offence violates constitutional and human rights.
In a letter dated November 18, 2025, to the Commissioner of Police, the NBA Human Rights Committee said Nagenu’s detention contravenes the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (As Amended), the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR).
The letter added, “Our client was arrested on November 4, 2025, detained, and languishing in police custody—a flagrant infringement of his constitutional rights. There is no clear definition of any alleged offence, nor has he been arraigned in a competent court to defend himself.”
The NBA urged the police to release Nagenu unconditionally, noting that constitutional rights must not be violated and reminding the Commissioner of Police of the force’s duty to uphold the rule of law and protect human dignity.
It was earlier reported that Nagenu remained in detention despite no charges being filed against him.
His legal team has since filed a fundamental rights enforcement application at the Federal High Court to challenge his confinement.
Nagenu’s lawyer, Ibrahim Usman Wali, described his client’s detention as “a blatant constitutional aberration,” adding, “Hon. Nagenu is being held in conditions no human being should endure. The State CID facility is one of the most dehumanising environments I have seen in my years of practice.”
Wali appealed to the public for support, saying, “What is at stake is not merely the liberty of one man, but the integrity of our constitutional safeguards and the basic dignity owed to every citizen.”
He confirmed that although the application was initially brought ex parte, the police have now been duly served and the matter will be heard at the earliest possible date.
Nagenu’s detention, Wali said, violates both the 1999 Constitution and the Administration of Criminal Justice Act. “Detention without charge is unlawful, indefensible, and an assault on the rule of law. The State cannot detain a citizen first and look for a case later,” he added.
Nagenu was arrested at his residence in Bida over allegations linking him to a viral video of an attack on Governor Umar Bago’s convoy.
It was noted that the video misrepresented a condolence visit Nagenu had made, with remarks wrongly attributed to him.
Political sources have suggested the arrest may be politically motivated, pointing to Nagenu’s growing grassroots popularity.
Following his arrest, he was transferred to the Niger State CID in Minna, where his lawyer described his conditions as stable but dehumanising.
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.
