The Take-It-Back (TIB) Movement in Bauchi State has called for the immediate release of Dr. Abubakar Ahmad, a lecturer at the Federal College of Horticulture, Dadin Kowa, Gombe State, who is currently being detained over a Facebook post deemed defamatory.
Dr. Ahmad was remanded in prison following a petition by a politically exposed individual who alleged that the lecturer’s post amounted to defamation and criminal intimidation.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, TIB State Coordinator, Comrade Nazif Nuhu Mohammed, described the charges as baseless and politically motivated, insisting that Dr. Ahmad is being punished for exercising his right to free speech.
“This is not about defamation or criminality. It is a calculated attempt to silence dissent by using state power to intimidate a private citizen,” the statement read.
TIB expressed outrage at what it termed the misuse of the legal system to target critical voices, describing Dr. Ahmad’s detention as a violation of constitutional rights and an affront to democratic principles.
“The arrest and detention of Dr. Ahmad is not only unjust but also a threat to free expression. This is a dangerous precedent and must not be allowed to stand,” Mohammed said.
The group demanded that Dr. Ahmad be granted bail immediately and that the judiciary resist being used as a tool for settling personal or political scores.
TIB further urged for independent oversight of how defamation and similar criminal complaints are used, warning that such cases are increasingly being weaponized to harass citizens.
“We are working closely with Dr. Ahmad’s legal representatives and family, and we will ensure that his rights are protected throughout this process,” the group said.
The movement also appealed to human rights organizations, civil society groups, and the media to rally in support of the detained lecturer and amplify the call for justice.
“TIB stands against all forms of repression and will continue to fight for justice, freedom of expression, and the protection of civil liberties in Nigeria,” the statement concluded.
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