The Kano State Government has rejected allegations by Amnesty International of a pattern of arrests, detention and intimidation of critics of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, insisting that it has no policy of suppressing lawful criticism or peaceful dissent.
The government, however, said freedom of expression does not confer immunity from investigation or prosecution where conduct is alleged to constitute a criminal offence under applicable laws.
The position was contained in a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Justice and Constitutional Matters, Aminu Hussaini, Esq., in response to concerns raised by Amnesty International over alleged restrictions on freedom of expression in Kano.
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Amnesty International had alleged that several individuals critical of the Kano State Government had been arrested, detained, invited by security agencies or subjected to threats and intimidation over comments and social media posts.
The organisation particularly raised concerns over the reported detention of Abba Ibrahim Kofar Nasarawa, popularly known as Aiha K Nass, as well as cases involving other critics.
Responding, the Kano Government said it took the concerns seriously but rejected any suggestion that it had adopted a policy of arresting or intimidating citizens merely because they criticised the Governor, his administration or its policies.
“The Government has neither a policy nor an institutional directive to arrest, detain or intimidate citizens merely because they criticise the Governor, his Administration or its policies,” the statement said.
It reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to freedom of expression, peaceful dissent, fundamental human rights, the rule of law and due process as guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution.
The government said legitimate criticism and the expression of divergent political views were essential components of democratic governance.
Government Distinguishes Criticism From Alleged Criminal Conduct
The statement, however, drew a distinction between constitutionally protected expression and conduct which may constitute an offence under existing laws.
According to the government, security and law-enforcement agencies are legally empowered to investigate credible complaints or information concerning alleged criminal conduct and, where necessary, take appropriate action in accordance with the law.
It cautioned against automatically describing every investigation, invitation, arrest or detention as persecution or suppression of dissent without examining the facts and circumstances surrounding each case.
“Such investigative or law-enforcement action should not, without a proper examination of the facts and circumstances of each case, automatically be characterised as persecution or suppression of dissent simply because the person concerned is critical of Government,” it said.
The government said the circumstances of each individual mentioned in Amnesty International’s statement should be examined separately, including the reason for any invitation, arrest or detention, the nature of the allegations, applicable laws and, where relevant, proceedings or orders issued by competent courts.
‘No Citizen Should Be Arrested Solely For Lawful Opinion’
Despite its defence of law-enforcement powers, the Kano Government acknowledged that no citizen should be arrested or detained solely for expressing a lawful opinion or criticising a public official or government policy.
It said credible evidence of unlawful detention, denial of due process or abuse of fundamental rights should be properly investigated and addressed.
“At the same time, the constitutional guarantee of freedom of expression does not confer immunity from generally applicable laws where conduct, established upon due process, crosses the legal threshold into a criminal offence,” the statement added.
The government’s response follows Amnesty International’s recent allegations that critics of Governor Yusuf were facing arrests, detention, threats and intimidation, with the organisation warning that such actions were creating concerns over freedom of expression in the state.
Kano Govt Open To Engagement With Amnesty
The state government said it remained open to engaging with human-rights organisations, including Amnesty International, and invited the organisation to provide specific and verifiable information concerning any alleged violation of fundamental rights in Kano.
It said such information could assist relevant authorities in examining individual cases and addressing any genuine violations.
The administration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, the statement added, remained committed to democratic governance, constitutionalism, the rule of law, protection of fundamental rights and peaceful coexistence among citizens holding diverse political opinions.
The government’s response places the ongoing dispute within two competing accounts: Amnesty International’s allegations of a pattern of repression against critics, and the state government’s insistence that lawful criticism remains protected while alleged criminal conduct may legitimately be investigated through due process.