From Lawal Sa’idu Funtua, Katsina
Father of a detained face book critic, Alhaji Sa’idu Sule Maiyawo has appealed to Governor Ibrahim Shehu Shema to urgently direct for the release of his son, Abdulmalik Sa’idu, who he said has been in detention for over 21 days for allegedly criticizing the state administration.
Addressing newsmen, yesterday in Katsina, Maiyawo alleged that after his son criticized the quality of fertilizer supplied to the state, agents of the government invited his son to the Government House from where he alleged his son was handcuffed and thrown into detention.
He noted that when his son posted the criticism, the governor’s ADC, DSP Shehu Koko invited the poor boy to see him at the Government House, from where he alleged the boy was taken to Batagarawa police station.
According to the father, his son was detained without any charge brought against him, describing his detention as a breach of his constitutional rights and abuse of his rights as a citizen of Nigeria.
He added that while in detention, his family was denied access to him, alleging that after several visits to Batagarawa police station they were told that he was only brought there for safe keeping.
Similarly, the father alleged that when the boy was moved to the police headquarters, they were, as he said, advised by the Commissioner of Police not to go to court, as they alleged, he promised to beg Governor Shema on their behalf, to release their son.
They further alleged that, in an attempt to frame their son, a commissioner in the state’s administration told the police that the boy had cloned the governor’s signature and requested for N3 million to be deposited in his account.
He also alleged that a chief executive of one of the state’s agencies had recently threatened the boy to desist from criticizing the governor on Facebook or they would hire thugs to eliminate him.
Maiyawo noted that he had written several petitions to the National Human Rights Commission and another human rights group, while a lawyer has also been engaged to seek redress in a court of law, he stated.
However, when contacted, Special Adviser to the state governor on media, Alhaji Sani Malumfashi said, “contact the police, the issue is with them”.
Repeated calls on the GSM Line of the Katsina Police Command spokesman, DSP Aminu Abubakar Saddiq were not responded to.
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