A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has declared the arrest and continued detention of Borno State opposition leader, Hon. Attom Magira, as unlawful, unconstitutional, and a clear violation of his fundamental human rights.
Delivering judgment on Friday, Justice O.A. Egwuatu ruled that the prolonged detention of Magira by security operatives without charge or court order constitutes an abuse of power and a breach of his constitutional rights as enshrined in Sections 34, 35, and 41 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
The court ordered the immediate release of Magira, a prominent figure in Borno’s political landscape and a known critic of the state government. Furthermore, the judge directed the relevant security agency responsible for his detention to issue a formal apology in two national dailies and pay the sum of ₦2.5 million in damages to the opposition leader.
“This court cannot condone arbitrary detention in a democratic society,” Justice Egwuatu stated. “The continued incarceration of the applicant without due process undermines the rule of law and must not be tolerated.”
Magira was reportedly picked up weeks ago under unclear circumstances during what his supporters described as “a politically motivated crackdown.” His legal team swiftly challenged the legality of his detention, filing a fundamental rights enforcement suit against the detaining agency.
Reacting to the verdict, Magira’s lawyer, Barrister Ibrahim Musa, praised the judgment as a “victory for justice, democracy, and the sanctity of human rights in Nigeria.”
“This ruling sends a clear message to those who use the instruments of state for political persecution: the judiciary remains a bulwark against tyranny,” he said.
Supporters of Magira have welcomed the decision and called for his immediate reintegration into political activities, describing the court’s ruling as a major blow to efforts aimed at silencing dissent in Borno State.