Amnesty International Nigeria Calls for the Immediate Release of Innocent Godiya

Semen Isaiah Lerum

Yola, Adamawa State 

Amnesty  International Nigeria has demanded the immediate and unconditional release of Innocent Godiya, a student and youth pastor of the Federal College of Education, Yola, who was unlawfully arrested and remanded in prison over a social media post criticizing the Chairman of Demsa Local Government Area, Mr. Akham Jalo.

Innocent was arrested on 17 August 2025 by police officers from the Jimeta Division and hurried before the Upper Area Court Four, Jimeta, where he was charged with “criminal defamation” in what rights groups and citizens have described as a sham process.

According to Amnesty Nigeria, Innocent’s arrest “is a clear abuse of power and an attack on the right to freedom of expression,” stressing that criticism of public officials is not a crime under Nigerian or international law.

The Encounter: How It Happened

On Tuesday, 19 August 2025, at about 2:00pm, events unfolded in what many described as the most brutal and questionable manner. Innocent, who was on his motorcycle, was stopped and violently dragged off by hefty men identifying themselves as police officers from Jimeta Division. He was forced into a Hilux vehicle and whisked away, leaving onlookers shocked.

This incident was particularly painful for Innocent, who is the son of a late senior police officer that died in service to Nigeria — a memory that still weighs heavily on him.

He was hurriedly taken to the Upper Area Court Four, Jimeta, presided over by Judge  Yolanda. In a rushed process, charges of criminal defamation against the Demsa Chairman were read, and Innocent was ordered to be remanded at the Mutala Mohammed Maximum Security Prison until August 22. He stood in court without legal representation, asking in confusion what crime he had committed to deserve such treatment.

Despite efforts by his legal team to intervene, proceedings had already moved forward minutes before their arrival. Requests for bail — an ordinarily bailable offence — were repeatedly denied. At one point, proceedings were delayed when the presiding judge was said to be in a meeting with the Deputy Governor of Adamawa State, Professor Kaletapwa Farauta, raising further suspicion of political interference.

Even more troubling, the original complainant, Mr. Akham Jalo, was not in court. Instead, an aide stood in his place, further undermining the credibility of the process.

Voices of Resistance

Amid the irregularities, one thing remained constant — the voices of young people, the voices of Adamawa, and the voices of Nigerians who refused to be silenced. Citizens, activists, and rights defenders have continued to call out the intimidation and harassment, insisting that Innocent Godiya’s case is not just about one individual, but about the future of democracy in Nigeria.

Amnesty Nigeria has urged authorities to release Innocent immediately and ensure accountability for those responsible for his unlawful detention.