A former chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), lawyer, writer and activist, Chidi Odinkalu, says critics of Nasir el-Rufai, governo
A former chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), lawyer, writer and activist, Chidi Odinkalu, says critics of Nasir el-Rufai, governor of Kaduna state, are currently facing prosecution.
Charges ranging from incitement of public disturbance, injurious falsehood and defamation have been filed against some persons. This has triggered criticisms, with many accusing el-Rufai of punishing his critics.
In a statement on Monday, Aisha Dikko, attorney-general of Kaduna, distanced the governor from the trials, emphasising that the state government filed the charges against them.
But responding in a series of tweets, Odinkalu alleged that the governor has been persecuting his critics. Among those Odinkalu accused el-Rufai of treating unfairly are: Zarak Zebedee, a PhD student of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; Gabriel Idibia, a journalist; Jacob Dickson, also a journalist; Suleiman Hunkuyi, a former senator; and John Danfulani, a lecturer.
Below are Odinkalu’s tweets:
@ChidiOdinkalu
Nasir @elrufai has caused to be issued on his behalf a tissue of untruths, #halftruths & falsehoods concerning his brutal persecution of his critics as @GovKaduna. To help his memory, here is a litany of #bodybags of critics who have suffered at his hands.
@ChidiOdinkalu
Barack Zebedee: Ph.D student in fisheries & hydrology in Biology Dept., Ahmadu Bello Univ, Zaria: Arrested in May 2017 on charges of incitement for a post on a WhatsApp group created to mobilise assistance for victims of #SouthernKadunaMassacre
Southern Kaduna killings: Police arrest scholar, BaraK Zebedee for alleged inciting comments -…
The Police in Kaduna, Monday, raided the Kaduna home of Mr. BaraK Zebedee of the Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, ABU, Department of Biology, over an dailypost.ng
@ChidiOdinkalu
Gabriel Idibia: journalist with The Union newspaper, dragged to court reportedly for being inquisitive about @elrufai‘s declared his assets as demanded by law.
OPINION: Between El-Rufa’i and Kaduna Journalists By Hassan Ibrahim Barely a few months to the 2019 general elections , the All Progressives Congress (APC) led government in Kaduna state has commenced moves to pacify journalists in the state, conf… dailynewsprecise.com.ng
@ChidiOdinkalu
Jacob Onjewu Dickson: Journalist with Authentic News, was arrested, detained & charged with – yes, u guessed it – #Incitement in May 2016, after reporting that youths had pelted @elrufai with objects.
Journalist arrested, charged over report on Kaduna governor, El-Rufai | Premium Times Nigeria
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) wants journalist Jacob Dickson immediately released. premiumtimesng.com.
@ChidiOdinkalu
Suleiman Hunkuyi: former Kaduna State Chairman of @OfficialAPCNg & senator of @NGRSenate, @elrufai demolished Senator Hunkuyi’s home in Unguwar Rimi over a political disagreement & converted it into a children’s park.
El-Rufai converts Hunkuyi’s demolished house to children’s park
Kaduna State Government has converted the parcel of land on which a demolished storey building; which belonged to Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi to sunnewsonline.com
@ChidiOdinkalu
Luka Binniyat: @Kindusluka was Kaduna Bureau Chief of @vanguardngrnews, when @elrufai ordered his arrest in Feb 2017 for a report under his by-line in the newspaper. Luka was detained for ovr 130 days without bail & El-Rufai instigated Vanguard to fire him
Journalist arraigned, sent to prison over Southern Kaduna report
A journalist has been arraigned before a magistrate court in Kaduna on allegation of falsifying a news report about the Southern Kaduna crisis. premiumtimesng.com
@ChidiOdinkalu
Midat Joseph: Journalist with @LeadershipNGA, was arrested on orders of @elrufai in April 2017 for a post in a WhatsApp group. Guess what the charges against him were? #Incitement!
Police detain Leadership reporter over 48 hours
Godwin Isenyo, Kaduna A Kaduna-based journalist, Joseph Midat, arrested by the Kaduna Police Command on Wednesday has yet to be released more than 24 hours after. The correspondent of Leadership …punchng.com
@ChidiOdinkalu
Sunny Yayock: Freelance journalist, arrested, detained & charged to court for his comment on social Media supporting a call for peaceful Demonstration. He slept for two days in the police cell before he was taken to court & granted bail
Mini-Tyrant: As Kaduna Governor El-Rufai Declares An Open Prison For Journalists, Citizen Reporters…
Jacob Dickson, the consulting editor of Authentic News Daily, an online paper, it was another day of uncertainty and anxiety in the court in Kaduna State. thetrentonline.com
@ChidiOdinkalu
Adamu Abdullahi: #SocialMedia activist, was arrested by @PoliceNG in Kaduna for questioning, for reportedly re-tweeting a tweet about @elrufai being pelted with object
Mini-Tyrant: As Kaduna Governor El-Rufai Declares An Open Prison For Journalists, Citizen Reporters…
Jacob Dickson, the consulting editor of Authentic News Daily, an online paper, it was another day of uncertainty and anxiety in the court in Kaduna State. thetrentonline.com
@ChidiOdinkalu
Segun Onibiyo: @SegunOnibiyo, journalist with @radionigeriahq was arrested charged on orders of @elrufai on 14 Nov 2019 with – yes, u guessed it! – #Incitement, for his #socialmedia posts. He spent most of Dec 2019 detained b4 being released after 24 days
Between el-Rufai and Journalist Segun Onibiyo – THISDAYLIVE
John Shiklam writes on the arrest and detention of a Kaduna-based broadcaster, Segun Onibiyo, who spent 24 days in prison following allegations that he posted inciting and defamatory comments on… thisdaylive.com
@ChidiOdinkalu
“Samuel Ogundipe: @SamuelOgundipe was a journalist with @PremiumTimesng when @elrufai‘s son, Bello, threatened to arrest him for reporting that Bello had threatened the Mum of sm1 who criticized his Dad, @GovKaduna, with #gangrape
El Rufai’s son threatens journalist arrest after PT report on gang rape comment | International…
IN an argument on social media, Bello El-Rufai one of the sons of Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai has threatened to see to a Premium icirnigeria.org
@ChidiOdinkalu
Dr. John Danfulani: @john_danfulani Lecturer in Kaduna State University was suspended, arrested, detained & charged for #incitement allegedly for criticising @elrufai through a Facebook post. He was detained for many days before bail. He was also fired.
Kaduna lecturer detained for alleged ‘hate speech’ released | Premium Times Nigeria
Mr. Dan Fulani was first arrested in January. premiumtimesng.com
@ChidiOdinkalu
Nasiru Jagaba: @Nasiru_Jagaba, national youth leader of the Southern Kaduna Peoples Union, @TvSokap, was arrested & faced prosecution for protesting against @elrufai‘s policies.
@ChidiOdinkalu
HRH Dr. Ishaku Damina: 1st Class paramount Chief of Kurama, in #SouthernKaduna, detained on trumped up charges for over a month on orders of @elrufai in 2017. He was eventually granted bail when Court found nothing against him.
Arrest, Detention Of Chief Of Kurama Threatening Peace In Kaduna- AKurmi Youths | Bulwark Intelli…
Concerned youths from the Akurmi nation has called for the unconditional release of their paramount ruler B’Gwan Kurmi (Chief of Kurama), HRH Dr. Ishaku S. Damina who has been under detention for…demo.bulwarkintelligence.com
@ChidiOdinkalu
HRH, Dr. Maiwada Raphael Galadima, Agwam Adara: 1st Class Paramount Ruler of the Adara of #SouthernKaduna, abducted on a Friday with his wife after protesting @elrufai creating an Emirate over his kingdom. His body was discovered days later.
Kaduna traditional ruler’s murder: Fish out killers, Makarfi charges govt – Vanguard News
Tension reigned in Kaduna again after kidnappers Thursday killed a prominent Traditional ruler in Kaduna state, the Agwom Adara, Maiwada Raphael Galadima, after allegedly collecting ransom for his…vanguardngr.com
Adara Elders, Bawa Magaji (Waziri); Sani Magaji, (Baraden); Awemi Dio Maisamari; Joseph Abdalla; Tanko Maisanari; Hosea Danladi; Joseph Ayuba; Tanko Wada; Ulu Maitumbi; arrested & detained for 106 days before being released bcos charges were trumped up
8 Adara elders held over Kajuru crisis in Kaduna regain freedom
Eight of the nine Adara elders detained over the crisis in Kajuru, Kaduna State, early in the year have been released. A source who was with the nine at the Magistrate Court on Daura Road, Kaduna,…
newsexpressngr.com
@ChidiOdinkalu
Abubakar Idris (Dadiyata): University lecturer, abducted from the gate of his house in Barnawa Kaduna on 1 august 2019 & disappeared since. He is one of @elrufai‘s most prominent critics. Bashir El-Rufai implies that he knows smithing about this abduction. #WhereIsDadiyata
@ChidiOdinkalu
Steven Kefason: @SKefason, journalist & activist was abducted from Rivers State on the orders of @elrufai, taken to Kaduna & detained for 162 days b4 bail. Charges? #Incitement. While he was detained, his #socialmedia footprint was wiped out
My prison experience – Steven Kefason
On 8 May 2019, Steven Kefason, a Kaduna-based journalist, was arrested by officers of the Rivers State Police Command. He spent five days in detention… m.facebook.com
@ChidiOdinkalu
Dr. Zuwaqhu Bonat: senior lecturer at Kaduna State University & a community leader, was sacked from his job on the orders of @elrufai for his advocacy work on behalf of the communities of #SouthernKaduna.
Alleged Rights Violation: Court fixes June 20 for judgment in case against El-Rufa’i
The complainant is also seeking monetary sanctions on the governor. premiumtimesng.com
@ChidiOdinkalu
Inuwa Abdulkadir: Lawyer, former Minister & NW Zonal Chair of @OfficialAPCNig, @elrufai demolished Inuwa’s home in Kaduna when he declined support to suspend @ShehuSani from the party. Inuwa died in July with the case still pending in court.
APC Zonal Chairman Accuses El-Rufai of Demolishing House over Political Differences – THISDAYLIVE
John Shiklam in Kaduna The North-west Zonal Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Inuwa Abdulkadir, has accused Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State for demolishing his house for…thisdaylive.com
@ChidiOdinkalu
Suleiman Hunkuyi: former Kaduna State Chairman of @OfficialAPCNg & senator of @NGRSenate, @elrufai demolished Senator Hunkuyi’s home in Unguwar Rimi over a political disagreement & converted it into a children’s park.
El-Rufai converts Hunkuyi’s demolished house to children’s park
Kaduna State Government has converted the parcel of land on which a demolished storey building; which belonged to Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi tosunnewsonline.com
@ChidiOdinkalu
Danjuma Laah: Senator in @NGRSenate representing #SouthernKaduna, house raided by @PoliceNG & nephew arrested in Kaduna allegedly on orders of @elrufai after he spoke out on #SouthernKadunaMassacre & called for Southern Kaduna ppl to “defend themselves.” https://punchng.com/police-raid-senators-house-in-kaduna-arrest-nephews/%3famp=1
@ChidiOdinkalu
Shehu Sani: @ShehuSani represented Kaduna Central in @NGRSenate on platform of @OfficialAPCNg. When he disagreed with @elrufai‘s brutalities, the gov. reportedly induced the party to turf him out of the party & started gloating. https://kadunanewsonline.com/el-rufai-desperate-to-expel-sen-shehu-sani-bribes-party-leaders-n3-million/
@ChidiOdinkalu
Audu Maikori: At the Lagos #SociaMediaWeek in 2017, @elrufai promised publicly that @Audu, lawyer & entrepreneur, will be abducted to Kaduna. True to his word, in Feb 2017, Audu was unlawfully vanished from Lagos to Kaduna on charges of incitement.
Court of Appeal says Kaduna State Government Violated the Rights of Audu Maikori in 2017
The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Friday ruled against the Kaduna State Government for unlawful arrest and detention of Chocolate City Boss, Audu Maikori, and directed the state government to pay the… bellanaija.com
@ChidiOdinkalu
Gloria Ballason: When then @NigBarAssoc president, @abmtwitt visited @elrufai in 2016 ovr #SouthernKaduna, the gov threatened to abduct #HumanRights lawyer & CEO @HOJusticeIntl @GMabeiam ovr an article she wrote. She has many court orders against @elrufai
https://globalvoices.org/2020/01/24/this-nigerian-human-rights-lawyer-wins-second-order-of-restraint-against-government/amp/
“Chidi Odinkalu @ChidiOdinkalu
Writing in 2014, @elrufai ‘s longest boss, Obasanjo, said: “…Character wise, Nasir has not much going for him. He’s a malicious liar. He was more than that; he is a pathological purveyor of untruth & half-truths with little or no regard to integrity.”
Obasanjo: El-Rufai has penchant for lying, disloyalty By Olusegun Obasanjo I should bring up my comments on Nasir el-Rufai here because of the greatest insult he piled on me by the comment he ascribed to me in his book, The Accidental Public Servant, …enewsnigeria.com.ng
“Chidi Odinkalu @ChidiOdinkalu
This thread is merely illustrative & not exhaustive of the tale of @elrufai‘s crimes of #AbuseOfPower, #NapoleonSyndrome, & ruinous peeves & pettinesses. This is necessitated by the tissue of mendacity issued on his behalf yesterday by @MOJKaduna
