The Southern and Middle Belt Alliance (SaMBA) has demanded for the immediate release of the Spokesman of Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU), Luka Biniyat, by the Governor El-Rufai.

The group condemned the continued detention of the Southern Kaduna-born journalist and wondered how a Nigerian citizen could be detained for two months in a civil matter.

SaMBA in a statement on Friday signed by Prince Rwang Pam Jnr. warned that if anything happens to Luka Biniyat, the governor would be held responsible.

The group stated that “while the illegal detention at the maximum-security prisons in Kaduna was at the instance of the Kaduna State Commissioner for internal Security Samuel Aruwan, the facts show that the illegal detention enjoys the approval of the Executive Governor of Kaduna state.”

SaMBA reminded Aruwan that he can never be in the corridors of power for life.

The statement reads: “Our Attention has been drawn to the continuous detention of the Spokesman of the Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU), Luka Biniyat for the past two months on the Orders of a Magistrate Court in Kaduna on the trumped-up charges filed by the governor El-Rufai-led administration using the Kaduna State Commissioner for internal Security Mr Samuel Aruwan.

“It is shocking and alien to democratic traditions that a matter that ought to be civil in nature is twisted into a high-profile criminal case traceable to terrorism and therefore brought under the terrorism prevention Act. There is no doubt that the Kaduna State government is using its DPP to haunt and use the Judiciary in persecuting its perceived enemies.

“The SOKAPU Spokesman was arraigned before the Magistrate Court on an initial offence of injurious falsehood which is ordinarily bailable however when the Bail application was moved before the Magistrate the Kaduna State government through its DPP quickly filed charges of Internet stalking etc under the terrorism prevention Act that is not ordinarily bailable.

“This move was clearly targeted at keeping Luka Binnyat in prison until his application for bail is heard by a superior Court.

“SaMBA is appalled by this crude and inhuman use of institutions of state to harass, humiliate and persecute citizens by a so-called democratic government

“SaMBA therefore calls on the Kaduna State government, the Federal government of Nigeria and the international community to take note of the following.

“a Luka Binnyat is a Nigerian citizen who is entitled to a fair and unbiased trial before the Courts if he has committed any offence.

“b That while in custody of the Kaduna state correctional center, Luka Binnyat is reported to have fallen ill and his health has deteriorated to the point that he is now unable to walk

“c Luka Binnyat is under our laws assumed to be innocent until proven guilty by a Court. Therefore, he should not be serving a prison sentence before the commencement of trial.

“SaMBA calls on the government of Kaduna State to quickly refrain from the current persecution of Luka Binnyat and allow him to enjoy his liberty as provided by the Nigerian constitution until such a time that such liberty is taken away at the conclusion of his trial if any.

SaMBA states finally that, if anything untoward happens to Luka while under this persecution, the Kaduna state government should be held responsible.”

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