A female member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Ms. Rashida Mohammed, has allegedly been arrested in Abuja over claims of defamation and secretly transferred to Kaduna State, where she is currently being detained by police.
Human rights lawyer Ikechukwu Obasi confirmed that Mohammed, who is serving in Abuja, was arrested at the NYSC Secretariat in the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC).
According to him, the arrest followed a complaint by a man identified as Mohammed Faruk, who accused her of defamation of character.
However, neither the police nor the complainant has publicly disclosed the specific statements, posts, or actions that allegedly constitute the defamation. The nature of the claim remains unclear.
Related News:
El-Rufai: APC Could Arrest Me Anytime
EFCC Faces Lawsuit Threat Over El-Rufai Arrest Attempt
Ogun Police Arrest Man for Possessing Four Human Heads
Police Arrest Four Over Death of Worshipper at Osogbo Mosque
Police Arrest Housewife Over Alleged Genital Mutilation of Husband in Yobe
Obasi said Mohammed was transferred from Abuja to Operation Fushin Kada Police Station in Kaduna State without a court order or proper notification to her family or legal representatives.
He described the arrest and detention as unlawful, citing Sections 35(4) and (5) of the Constitution of Nigeria, which set time limits for detention and require suspects to be brought before a court within a reasonable time.
The lawyer also criticised the criminalisation of defamation in Nigeria, arguing that alleged defamation should be treated as a civil matter rather than a criminal offence that can be used to intimidate citizens and suppress free expression.
He called on stakeholders and rights groups, including Amnesty International and the National Human Rights Commission, as well as activist Omoyele Sowore, to intervene and demand her release.
About the Author
