A Kano-based human rights lawyer, Barrister Abba Hikima Fagge, has called for the immediate release or prosecution of Kano blogger Maryam Shehu, who he says has been held in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for more than 30 days without being brought before a court.
In a statement posted to his Facebook page, Fagge said Shehu was arrested in Kano and subsequently moved to Abuja after she raised allegations of corruption against some EFCC officials. He stressed that she has not been accused of stealing, fraud, money laundering, or any other economic or financial crime — the offences the commission is statutorily empowered to investigate.
Fagge raised concern over what he described as a troubling conflict of interest in the case, arguing that the EFCC appears to be acting simultaneously as complainant, investigator, and decision-maker in a matter involving allegations against its own officials.
He further alleged that Shehu had been lured by an EFCC official with a business proposal before her arrest in Kano and subsequent transfer to Abuja, and said she has been denied bail throughout her detention. “If Maryam committed any offence, charge her before a competent court. Otherwise, release her immediately and allow an independent investigation into the allegations against the EFCC officials,” Fagge said.
He said he and his colleagues were preparing court papers on Shehu’s behalf and urged human rights organisations to intervene urgently to monitor the situation and ensure her fundamental rights are protected.
Fagge maintained that prolonged, unexplained detention without arraignment amounts to a bypassing of due process. “Investigation is not punishment,” he said, calling for either Shehu’s immediate release or her arraignment before a court to answer any charges against her. The allegations contained in Fagge’s statement have not been independently verified.
