Student detained for criticising Aisha Buhari gets hero’s welcome in school

Aisha Buhari and critic Aminu Adamu

Aminu Adamu, who was charged to court for criticising first lady Aisha Buhari, got a hero’s welcome at the Federal University, Dutse, Jigawa State.

On December 2, Mrs Buhari pulled back charges of cybercrime, cybersquatting, computer-related forgery, conspiracy and criminal breach of trust filed against him at an FCT High Court. Justice Yusuf Halilu then struck out the case.

As soon as his release was effected, Adamu appeared in photos flanked by a police officer and officials of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS).

According to a police report, Adamu was arrested at the university on November 18, 2022, over his alleged defamatory tweet, after Mrs Buhari instructed a team of police detectives to track him down. After some days, he was charged to court and remanded by the FCT High Court in Suleja prison.

Following his release, the final-year environmental management and toxicology student was led by NANS officials to the campus where he was welcomed warmly by fellow students.

Adamu also apologised to the president’s wife, saying “it was never my intention to hurt your feelings … I will change for the better … I’m also grateful for your forgiveness…”

In a report published on Thursday by CNN, Adamu’s lawyer Kingsley Agu alleged that Mrs Buhari supervised the student’s beating at the Presidential Villa.

“My client said he was arrested at school and taken to the presidential villa where he met with the first lady who told the security operatives to beat him … and he was beaten before he was detained at a police station in Abuja,” he said.

The news platform said presidential spokesperson Garba Shehu did not return its request for comment on the allegations of assault against Adamu.