Adamawa Court Arraigns Two For Booing Governor Fintiri At Political Gathering, Imposes Stringent Bail Conditions

Two out many who booed Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri at a recent political gathering in Ganye were arraigned on Monday before Magistrate Bapetel at the Chief Magistrate Court, Ganye.

The defendants were granted bail on Wednesday but under what their counsel called “near-impossible conditions,” including an order to produce the Ganye Local Government Council Chairman and the District Head of Ganye as sureties, two figures widely regarded as aligned with the current state political structure.

On January 28, SaharaReporters reported how Governor Fintiri was openly booed and rejected by angry Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) supporters at the political gathering in a dramatic show of public discontent.

Speaking to SaharaReporters on Wednesday, the lawyer representing the duo, Barrister Naptoye Obidah, criticised the bail terms, arguing that they defeat the purpose of granting bail and amount to indirect detention.

“This is like granting bail with the right hand and taking it back with the left,” Obidah told SaharaReporters. “My clients were charged using a Police First Information Report and have remained in custody simply for expressing displeasure toward the governor at a public event.”

According to the charge sheet, the defendants are facing two counts bordering on conspiracy and disturbing public peace, stemming directly from the incident in which they openly rejected and booed the governor during his appearance in Ganye.

Civil rights observers say prosecuting individuals over booing at a political rally raises serious concerns about tolerance for dissent and freedom of expression.

They also cautioned that the bail requirements, linked to senior local authorities, may have been deliberately structured to make the conditions difficult to meet.

Meanwhile, Adamawa PDP Publicity Secretary Victor Dogo denied that the party initiated or influenced the prosecution. He distanced the party from the case and dismissed allegations of political retaliation.

Efforts to obtain a response from the Adamawa State Government proved unsuccessful as of press time. Calls and a WhatsApp message to the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Humwashi Wonosikou, went unanswered.

The case has triggered renewed debate over political tolerance, citizens’ right to express dissent, and the use of public order charges in response to protest actions at political gatherings. (SaharaReporters)