His legal team has now filed a fundamental rights enforcement application at the Federal High Court to challenge his continued confinement.
Abdulmalik Nagenu, the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) chairmanship candidate for Bida Local Government Area in Niger State, remains in detention despite no charges being filed against him.
His legal team has now filed a fundamental rights enforcement application at the Federal High Court to challenge his continued confinement.
Ngenu’s legal representative, Ibrahim Usman Wali, described the conditions of his client’s detention as “a blatant constitutional aberration.”
He said, “It must be stated clearly: Hon. Nagenu is being held in conditions no human being should endure. The State CID detention facility, in its present state, is one of the most dehumanising environments I have encountered in all my years of legal practice.”
Wali further appealed to the public, stating, “At this moment, the Honorable needs the unwavering support and solidarity of the people. The community must stand firm, for what is at stake is not merely the liberty of one man, but the integrity of our constitutional safeguards and the basic dignity owed to every citizen.”
The lawyer added that although the application was initially brought ex parte, the Court directed that the Police be served.
“They have now been duly served, and the matter will be taken at the earliest possible date. As soon as the hearing date is confirmed, the public will be immediately informed,” Wali said.
He emphasised that Nagenu’s detention violates both the 1999 Constitution and the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.
“This pattern of detention without charge is unlawful, indefensible, and an assault on the rule of law. The State cannot detain a citizen first and ‘look for a case’ later,” Wali added.
Nagenu was arrested at his residence in Bida following allegations linking him to a viral video showing an attack on Governor Umar Bago’s convoy.
SaharaReporters reported that the video misrepresented a condolence visit Nagenu had made, with remarks in the background wrongly attributed to him.
Political sources suggested the arrest may have been politically motivated, citing Nagenu’s rising grassroots popularity.
Earlier, his name and party logo were reportedly omitted from the November 1 local government election ballot papers, raising questions about electoral irregularities.
Following his arrest, Nagenu was transferred to the Niger State CID in Minna, where his lawyer described his conditions as stable but dehumanising.