The Borno State Police Command has arrested and arraigned five men in Maiduguri for allegedly printing and wearing T-shirts bearing the inscription, “Tinubu Must Go.”
According to a First Information Report (FIR) issued by the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) and verified through court officials, the suspects are Baba Aji Gremami, 44; Mustapha Abba Yemen, 28; Abbacha Mohammed Ali, 32; Adam Umar Gubio, 21; and Abdulhamid Mohammed, 21.
The FIR, dated September 29, 2026, stated that the incident occurred on September 25 at about 11:00 a.m. around the West End Roundabout area of Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
The police charged the five men with criminal conspiracy, inciting disturbance, disturbance of public peace, and thuggery, citing Sections 60, 78, 79, and 392 of the Borno State Penal Code.
They were arraigned before Chief Magistrate Court I in Maiduguri, where all five defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges. Their lawyers subsequently filed applications seeking bail.
The presiding magistrate adjourned the case until October 6, 2026, for a ruling on the bail applications, while the substantive trial was scheduled to commence on October 26.
The arrests and prosecution have generated controversy, with critics and social media users questioning the police action and raising concerns about freedom of expression. Amnesty International has also condemned the arrests and described the charges as arbitrary.
In a strongly worded statement, the rights organisation argued that peacefully expressing political views through clothing falls within the protection of freedom of expression and should not constitute a criminal offence.
Amnesty International further alleged that the arrests reflected an attempt to restrict political opposition in Borno State, describing the situation as contributing to what it called a “toxic climate of fear” that undermines democratic principles.
The organisation called for the immediate and unconditional release of the men and urged authorities to discontinue what it described as a “sham trial based on bogus charges.”
Meanwhile, allegations have emerged accusing a prominent state politician of influencing the arrests in an effort to suppress political opposition. However, those claims have not been independently verified.
The case has continued to generate debate online, with some social media users condemning the police action as an abuse of power and a threat to freedom of expression.
