Man arrested five days before wedding dies in custody months after court ruled detention illegal

Umar Abubakar, one of 42 Mubi residents detained in Adamawa State, has died in custody months after a Federal High Court declared their arrest and continued detention illegal.

According to SaharaReporters, Abubakar died on Thursday at the Yolde-Pate Custodial Centre in Yola after reportedly collapsing during a court sitting on September 30.

His lawyer, Abubakar Ali, said his client remained detained despite his health condition.

“He collapsed in court on September 30th, yet the prosecutor did not deem it appropriate to release him on medical bail,” Ali said.

Abubakar was arrested on May 6, reportedly five days before his scheduled wedding.

A Federal High Court in Yola on July 23 declared the arrest and continued detention of the 42 residents illegal and ordered their release upon entering a two-year good-behaviour bond.

However, authorities subsequently relied on a fresh July 28 warrant to continue their detention.

Abubakar’s family is demanding an independent investigation into his death and medical treatment while in custody.