CK Agu, counsel for Aminu Adamu, a student at the Federal University, Dutse, who was arrested after criticising First Lady Aisha Buhari on Twitter revealed that he requested bail for his client to enable him start his final exams on December 5.
Aminu was detained after he said on his Twitter account, “Mama is feeding fat on poor people’s money,” in Hausa.
Aminu, who hails from Azare in Bauchi state, is a final-year student of the Department of Environmental Management at Federal University, Dutse.
According to his uncle, Aminu was allegedly beaten at the Presidential Villa before being sent to Suleja Prison in Niger State.
However, the student’s attorney informed the BBC Hausa that his client was arraigned in Abuja and entered a not guilty plea to the charge against him.
Agu noted that since November 25, he had asked for Aminu to be released on bail however he had been turned down.
“Even in yesterday’s court session, we informed the judge that we requested the police to grant Aminu bail in time, but they did not respond on weather they would release him or not.
“Therefore, we requested the court to grant him bail on the grounds of ill health and that he will start exams on December 5. And now the court has ordered the police to present the bail request which was filed so that the court can act on the request today or tomorrow,” he said.
His arrest had sparked outrage, especially on social media, where many Nigerians said no one should be arrested for airing their views.
Aminu’s parents have tendered apology to the First Lady and demanded his release. Aisha Buhari is yet to comment on the development.
