Nigeria: Police Charge Five Men Over 'Tinubu Must Go' T-Shirts

What the report says

Police in Borno State, northeastern Nigeria, have charged five men to court after arresting them over T-shirts allegedly carrying the slogan “Tinubu Must Go,” according to Premium Times, which was distributed by AllAfrica. The men were identified as Baba Aji Gremami, Mustapha Abba Yemen, Abacha Mohammed Ali, Adam Umar Gubio and Abdulhamid Mohammed.

The charges reportedly include criminal conspiracy, inciting disturbance, disturbing public peace and thuggery. Court filings seen by Premium Times said the men were accused of printing the shirts with the aim of causing a breach of peace in the West End Roundabout area of Maiduguri. The alleged offences were said to fall under sections of the Borno State Penal Code Law.

The case has drawn criticism from Amnesty International, which said the arrests amounted to an attempt to criminalize peaceful political expression. The rights group called for the men’s release and for the charges to be dropped, arguing that expressing opposition to a political leader is protected speech. Premium Times said the Borno State Police Command had not issued an official statement, and the police spokesperson did not respond to requests for comment.

The development is significant because it touches on freedom of expression and the handling of political dissent in Nigeria. More broadly, rights advocates have often warned that arresting people over slogans or symbols can have a chilling effect on lawful protest and opposition activity.