Two residents of Adamawa State who allegedly booed Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri during a political gathering in Ganye have been arraigned before a Chief Magistrate’s Court, sparking outrage among civil rights advocates and renewed debate over freedom of expression in Nigeria’s political space.
The defendants were brought before Magistrate Bapetel on Monday on a two-count charge of conspiracy and disturbing public peace, following the January 28 incident in which the governor was openly jeered by supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at a rally in the town.
Although the court granted them bail on Wednesday, their lawyer, Barrister Naptoye Obidah, said the conditions imposed were “near-impossible” to meet, effectively keeping his clients behind bars.
According to him, the court ordered the defendants to produce the Chairman of Ganye Local Government Area and the District Head of Ganye as sureties — figures widely seen as politically aligned with the state government.
“This is like granting bail with the right hand and taking it back with the left,” Obidah said. “My clients have remained in custody simply for expressing displeasure toward the governor at a public event. Bail is meant to secure attendance, not to punish.”
Civil society organisations and rights observers condemned the prosecution, warning that criminalising booing at a political rally threatens citizens’ constitutional rights to free speech and peaceful expression.
They also expressed concern that the stringent bail terms were structured to frustrate the defendants’ release, describing the move as a dangerous signal to dissenting voices across the country.
Meanwhile, the Adamawa State PDP Publicity Secretary, Victor Dogo, denied that the party had any hand in the arrest or prosecution of the suspects, dismissing claims of political retaliation.
“This case has nothing to do with the PDP leadership,” Dogo said. “The party did not initiate or influence any action against the individuals involved.”
Efforts to obtain official comments from the Adamawa State Government proved unsuccessful as of press time, as calls and messages to the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Humwashi Wonosikou, were not returned.
The case has since ignited widespread public debate, with analysts warning that using public order laws to punish political dissent could undermine democratic participation and deepen citizens’ mistrust in governance processes.
Observers say the outcome of the trial may set a critical precedent on the limits of protest, tolerance of opposition voices, and the protection of civil liberties in Nigeria’s evolving democracy.
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