Borno: Police charge five men over ‘Tinubu must go’ T-shirt

Five men have been arrested, charged and arraigned before a Maiduguri court for allegedly printing and wearing T-shirts bearing the inscription “Tinubu Must Go” — a political expression that Amnesty International has condemned as a fundamental human right, not a criminal offence, according to Daily Trust.

According to a First Information Report dated September 29, 2026, issued by the Borno State Criminal Investigation Department and verified through court officials, the suspects — Baba Aji Gremami, 44; Mustapha Abba Yemen, 28; Abbacha Mohammed Ali, 32; Adam Umar Gubio, 21; and Abdulhamid Mohammed, 21 — were arrested on September 25 at approximately 11:00 a.m. near the West End Roundabout in Maiduguri.

The police charged the five defendants with criminal conspiracy, inciting disturbance, disturbance of public peace and thuggery under Sections 60, 78, 79 and 392 of the Borno State Penal Code. All five pleaded not guilty before Chief Magistrate Court I in Maiduguri. Their legal counsel filed a bail application, with the court adjourning to October 6 for a ruling and scheduling substantive trial for October 26, 2026.

Amnesty International swiftly condemned the prosecution, describing the charges as “bizarre” and the arrests as arbitrary.

“Clearly, the intention of this reign of repression in Borno State appears to be selective injustice to curtail the opposition in the political space. It is sadly creating a toxic climate of fear that is contrary to the democratic principles of freedom and justice,” Amnesty International stated, demanding the men’s “immediate and unconditional release” and urging authorities to drop what it called “a sham trial based on bogus charges.”

The arrests have generated fierce condemnation on social media, with commentators describing the police action as an attack on free speech. Critics have also alleged that a prominent state politician orchestrated the detentions to suppress political opposition — claims that could not be independently verified.

Borno State Police spokesperson ASP Kenneth Daso had not responded to requests for comment at press time.