AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL STRONGLY CONDEMNS THE ARBITRARY ARREST OF MUHYI MAGAJI BY NIGERIAN POICE FORCE

By Olayiwola Ibrahim // Eye witnesses said that the immediate past chairman of Kano Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission was arrested at his law firm in Kano.

A truckload of heavily armed police men arrested him while threatening to shoot whoever came their way while carrying out the arrest.

The arrest was said to have been carried out on the order of the Inspector General of Police.

This incident is yet another show of utter impunity and total disregard for the rule law by the Nigeria Police.

In January, Muhyi Magaji was arrested and detained by a special monitoring team from the office of the Inspector General of Police in connection with the uncovering of alleged widespread corruption during the administration of Mr. Abdullahi Ganduje.

Muhyi is being repeatedly harassed and intimidated by the police for his anti-corruption work in Kano state.

This abuse of power and intimidation must end.

Nigeria police must always uphold the due process of law and not become a tool in the hands of politicians, by carrying out arbitrary arrest, detention, and other undue restrictions of the rights of individuals to the legitimate exercise of their freedom.

Muhyi Magaji must be released immediately and unconditionally.

Punishing him for his anti-corruption work is a stain on Nigeria’s image.