Join us in solidarity on August 6th and beyond

We Maintain that these charges are baseless and politically motivated, aimed at silencing those who advocate for a fair and just society

• _{The three comrades: L-R Daniel Akande, Mohammed Abdullahi and Abdullahi Bilal}

Following the initial press statement released a few weeks ago, we continue to highlight the plight of our three comrades detained at the Kurudu Police Station by the Nigerian Police Force, Jikwoyi Division, since Friday, June 14, 2024. The roots of this situation lie in a dispute between a landlady and her tenants, which was brought to court in February 2024. The case was dismissed on May 28, 2024, for lack of merit. However, the landlady, dissatisfied with the ruling, resorted to threats and intimidation against our comrades.

When the landlady’s threats were reported to the Jikwoyi Police Station, she ignored the police’s invitation to discuss the matter. On June 14, 2024, Comrade Bilal was notified that his lady friend, who is also a sympathizer and a journalist, had been arrested by the Jikwoyi Division police officers. Upon his arrival at the station, both he and his lady friend were detained. Subsequently, Comrades Mohammed and Daniel were also detained when they came to inquire about the situation.

The landlady accused our comrades of threatening her but failed to provide evidence. The police, led by the DCO, appeared disinterested in hearing our comrades’ side of the story. Allegations arose that the police officers had been bribed by the landlady, leading to the illegal detention of our comrades.

Transferred to Kurudu Police Station, our comrades were denied access to their phones. Despite efforts from Comrade Buhari, a lawyer, only Ruth, the lady journalist, was released on Saturday afternoon. The police demanded that our comrades vacate their apartment as a condition for their release, which they complied with, yet the complaint was not withdrawn.

After days of public holidays, pressure from our network reached the Inspector General of Police and the Commissioner of Police (CP), who ordered the release of our comrades on administrative bail. However, the police attempted to manipulate the situation, resulting in the re-arrest and arraignment of our comrades at the Chief Magistrate Court 6, Wuse Zone 6, Abuja, on multiple charges.

Our comrades were sent to prison on June 21, 2024, with bail conditions requiring significant financial resources – the conditions put forward by the court require three persons to drop their international passports. Their eventual release on June 24, 2024, highlighted systemic issues of housing, economic policies, and police brutality.

We strongly condemn the illegal detention and unjust treatment of our three comrades. This case, originating from a landlord-tenant dispute, has exposed significant flaws in our justice system and the exploitation of power by those in authority.

On August 6, 2024, our comrades will return to court to face two counts of charges. We assert that these charges are baseless and politically motivated, aimed at silencing those who advocate for a fair and just society.

We urgently call for solidarity and financial support to combat these injustices and to reinforce our efforts in organizing the working class based on Marxist principles. Our comrades’ fight is a testament to the broader struggle for justice, equality, and the protection of civil liberties.

Stand with us as we continue this fight for a society free from oppression and exploitation. Together, we can ensure that justice prevails and that the voices of the marginalized and oppressed are heard. Join us in solidarity on August 6th and beyond.