A critic of Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang of Plateau State, Samuel Bature, also known as Samuel Samuel II, has been in police custody for over a week for criticising the governor.
Samuel Samuel II had posted a picture of a BMW 2025 model on Facebook, questioning the governor’s priorities.
He wrote, “There’s no ongoing project in Plateau state… He’s just cruising in a N250 million BMW 2025 model and organizing praise and worship with federal government palliative and intervention funds.”
“The only thing Mutfwang is doing correctly is driving nice cars. But governance kam ZERO!” he also wrote in a post.
In another post, Samuel wrote, “If you visited Plateau State, and see how many billions was received in one year and the state of our economy, you will agree with me that Mutfwang is a one term governor!!!”
Samuel II’s post suggests that some citizens are concerned about the governor’s spending habits and alleged disconnect from the state’s developmental needs.
Following the criticism, the police authorities reportedly picked him up for allegedly ridiculing the governor through his social media posts.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/3354754291472075/permalink/3863317783949054/?mibextid=Nif5oz
Clusterchannel learnt that he was transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Jos, where he has been held in custody for over a week without presenting him before a court of competent jurisdiction if he has committed any crime.
“A young man by the name Samuel Samuel has been in custody at State CID, Jos in Plateau State for the past one week for criticising the governor,” the source decried.
Meanwhile, a campaign tagged #FreeSamuel has been launched on Facebook, with Nigerians, particularly people from Plateau State, calling for Samuel’s immediate release.
For instance, a digital creator and an activist who goes by Journalist KC on Facebook in a post on Wednesday, condemned Samuel’s detention by the police.
In his post titled, ‘Free Samuel Samuel: Protect Democracy And Freedom Of Speech,’ he wrote, “The over one week detention of Samuel Samuel from Plateau State for criticizing Governor Mutfwang and the Plateau State Government is alarming. This isn’t an isolated incident; constant arrests of opposition voices send a chilling message prioritizing silence over service.
“In democracy, citizens have the right to express opinions without fear. Principles like freedom of expression, accountability, and transparency are undermined by the Plateau State Government’s actions, eroding public trust.
“We demand Samuel Samuel’s immediate and unconditional release. The Plateau State Government must recognize criticism’s importance to democracy and cease using arrests to silence opposition. Together, we can protect democracy and ensure citizens’ rights are respected. We’ll continue advocating for Samuel’s release and freedom of speech in Nigeria.”
One YaronKumdi revealed that police were preparing to file charges against Samuel bordering on defamation, cyber stalking, and criminal conspiracy.
In a post titled, ‘I Don’t Like Being Labelled A One Time Governor, Silence Them All,’ he said, “Report reaching my left ear suggests that the attached posts by Samuel Samuel II is the reason for his arrest and what they are using to charge him to court for Defamation, Cyber stalking, and Criminal conspiracy of the Governor.
“Is this not ridiculous and childish of Plateau State Government?
“Does it not clearly stink of abuse of power and clear intimidation of dissenting voices of Plateau sons and daughters who don’t agree with the style of governance of the green cap administration?
“Is it a crime to constantly call for accountability of the huge funds accrued to the State if we see there is no corresponding work to show for it?
“It should be known, that by this show of lack of accommodation cum tyranny, we are energised more than ever to continue talking for the good of Plateau State.”
Meanwhile, efforts made by SaharaReporters to get the police reaction on the arrest and failure to charge him after over one week, were unsuccessful as the Command’s spokesman, Mr Alfred Alabo, did not answer his calls.
As at the time of filing this report, he had yet to reply to a text message sent to his mobile line, seeking his comment.
