Imam, a vocal critic of the Nigerian government’s handling of the collapsed Namnai Bridge and the alleged diversion of ₦16.5billion earmarked for its reconstruction, has been at the centre of a heated faceoff with the Minister.
The controversy surrounding the Minister of State for Regional Development, Uba Maigari Ahmadu, deepened on Friday after fresh revelations indicated that the Minister allegedly secured a court order for the arrest of Taraba-based civic advocate, Abdulmumuni Imam — barely days after publicly denying any involvement in such moves.
Imam, a vocal critic of the Nigerian government’s handling of the collapsed Namnai Bridge and the alleged diversion of ₦16.5billion earmarked for its reconstruction, has been at the centre of a heated faceoff with the Minister.
A source familiar with the development told SaharaReporters that the Minister’s team initially approached the Upper Area Court to obtain a warrant for Imam’s arrest.
“What happened was, they first went to the Upper Area Court and got an order for his arrest. When we got that information and released it to the media, they rushed back to the Federal High Court on Friday and withdrew the order,” the source said.
The source added that after the withdrawal, the Minister’s legal team returned to the Federal High Court in Jalingo, where they reportedly secured another arrest order — followed by claims circulated in local media that Imam had gone into hiding.
“I can tell you for free that Imam has not been served. Nobody invited him and he didn’t refuse any invitation,” the source insisted.
Earlier reports by SaharaReporters had highlighted the Minister’s public denial of ever procuring a secret court order against the activist.
However, the latest actions contradict that position where the Minister denied securing any court order to arrest Imam.
The denial had been contained in a statement issued by Jamila M. Indabawa, Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Minister, following claims that security agencies had been mobilised to track and arrest Imam over his online commentaries and public engagements on the stalled project.
The Minister had insisted that he welcomes public scrutiny and would never endorse the use of security agencies against critics, adding that the allegations were false, malicious, and designed to incite public distrust.
Meanwhile, the Minister’s counsel, Ibrahim Effiong, confirmed to journalists in Jalingo that the Federal High Court had indeed issued an arrest warrant against Imam, whom he described as a self-acclaimed social media activist.
Effiong accused Imam of defaming the Minister and misleading the public with allegations that ₦16.5 billion approved for the reconstruction of Namnai Bridge had been diverted.
“My client, the Honourable Minister of State Regional Development has been inundated with reports on the Social Media, credited to one Abdulmumuni Imam, alleging the diversion of over ₦16.5 billion meant for the reconstruction of the Namnai Bridge that collapsed since last year.
“As a reputable legal luminary and law abiding citizen, the Minister deemed it important for the man to prove his claims before the Court. He has been invited and rather than appearing to defend himself, he has gone on the same social media to start making allegations that security people were looking for him. We didn’t approach any security agencies. Rather we went to the Court.
“I think it is important for people to be held responsible for their content on the Social Media. Yes we have freedom of speech but it comes with a responsibility of utilising it responsibly. That is the only way to protect the sanctity of that space. Besides, activism comes with bravery and responsibilities too. If you want to attack people on the guise of activism, you should be of no questionable character. And so I don’t understand why he is running from the Court which is for everyone.
Effiong insisted the Minister was not seeking damages but clarity.
“I must say that this is not about seeking compensation or claiming damages. It’s not about the money at all. This is about putting the records straight. The Honourable Minister is not above the law and if he is able to prove that the minister is truly in the wrong, the law will take its course. Otherwise, he should face the discipline of behaving irresponsibly in the public space” Effiong added.
SaharaReporters previously reported that Imam had raised a distress alarm alleging that Maigari Ahmadu, secretly procured a security order directing the Police, DSS, and Civil Defence to arrest him over his criticism of government inaction on the collapsed Namnai Bridge.
Imam, who has consistently documented the human tragedy unfolding around the fallen bridge, said his only offence was exposing what he described as a covert diversion of N16.5 billion approved by the Federal Executive Council for the emergency reconstruction of the bridge.
A family source who spoke to SaharaReporters on Thursday said the activist had received no invitation, no summons, no query, and no formal notice from any security agency.
“Everything was done behind closed doors. Abdulmumin has committed no crime,” the source told SaharaReporters.
According to the family source, the collapsed Namnai Bridge has remained untouched 15 months after it fell in August 2024, despite federal approval for emergency works.
The source recounted multiple tragedies at the site, including the death of a pregnant woman and a toddler whose body was never recovered, as locals continue to risk their lives crossing the dangerous river channel.
"A whole community has been cut off. These are human tragedies, not politics,” the source added.
Meanwhile, in a Facebook post shared earlier this week, Imam had accused the Minister of State for Regional Development of stalling the emergency bridge project while allegedly lobbying for the funds to be channelled into a non-emergency concrete pavement project on the Namnai–Jalingo access road.
The activist wrote:“LIVES ARE BEING LOST AT NAMNAI BRIDGE WHILE THIS EMERGENCY CONTRACT IS STALLED!
"Why is Minister Uba Maigari Ahmadu sitting on the Namnai Bridge contract?
"Tarabans, here are the facts: The Namnai Bridge COLLAPSED in AUGUST 2024.
"Today is 26th NOVEMBER 2025, (15 MONTHS later) yet NOTHING has been done. In JULY 2025, 3 INNOCENT PEOPLE DIED trying to cross the river."
Imam explained that the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi acted immediately and decisively and placed the Namnai bridge reconstruction under EMERGENCY PROCUREMENT, presented it to Mr. President at FEC and it was APPROVED IMMEDIATELY.
"On 10th SEPTEMBER 2025, the first contract was awarded:Company: Wiz China Worldwide Engineering Ltd. Project: Emergency Reconstruction of Namnai Bridge (10 SPANS).
"Amount: N16.5 BILLION, Ref: DD (P&D)/BNC/52/70.The BPP issued a NO-OBJECTION for the EMERGENCY RECONSTRUCTION of the bridge under the Ministry of Works. All approvals were completed. Mobilization was NEXT.
He noted that everything suddenly stopped.
"It is alleged that Minister Uba Maigari Ahmadu rushed to Minister of Works Dave Umahi. He lobbied and pleaded with the Minister to divert the N16.5 BILLION meant for the Namnai bridge reconstruction that was approved by Mr. President to a NON-EMERGENCY concrete pavement project on the Namnai–Jalingo access road while pushing for NEDC to take over the Namnai bridge project.
"Is this patriotism or a complete betrayal of Taraba? Following that alleged interference, on 28th OCTOBER 2025, the Ministry of Works awarded a second contract: Project: Emergency Reconstruction of Access Road
"Amount: N16.5 BILLION with Ref: DD (P&D)/BNC/52/82. If the project had not been hijacked as alleged by Uba Maigari Ahmade, the 10 PIERS (the deep foundation pillars that carry the bridge) would have been standing TODAY," Imam said.