SaharaReporters had reported that Dr. Ahmad was arrested and is currently being held for sharing a video of Shamsuddeen dancing with his wife.
 

Dr Abubakar Ahmad, a lecturer at the Federal College of Horticulture in Gombe State, has developed a life-threatening health condition while in detention over a social media post involving Shamsuddeen Bala Mohammed, the son of the Bauchi State governor.

A source, Bashir Limanci, close to the matter said on Saturday that Ahmad, who is currently held in a correctional facility in Bauchi, is suffering from acute malaria and has become severely emaciated.

 "He barely eats and his condition is rapidly deteriorating. He is terribly emaciated and needs urgent medical help.

"We call on the Bauchi State government to ensure this young man is given access to medical assistance as he continues to fight for his freedom. This man is going through a lot in detention, and his plight should concern all of us as citizens," Limanci said.

The lecturer was arrested after reposting a video on Facebook that shows a couple dancing — a clip that has been circulating online for several years and shared by many others.

However, Ahmad was singled out for sharing it.

His family has urged the Bauchi State government to intervene and ensure he receives urgent medical care.

There has been growing concern among rights groups over the continued detention of individuals for social media-related offences in Nigeria, particularly when such detention is accompanied by allegations of poor prison conditions and neglect.

Shamsuddeen filed a direct criminal complaint alleging defamation, injurious falsehood, and criminal intimidation under the Bauchi State Penal Code Law (2022).
Ahmad was arrested after honouring a police invitation and has since been remanded in prison.

His case has been adjourned until July 9, 2025, while his legal team pursues a judicial review before the Bauchi State Chief Judge.

The incident has sparked public outcry. Groups like the Take-It-Back Movement have condemned the arrest as an abuse of legal power and a threat to free speech, calling it a misuse of the judiciary to settle personal scores.

His family, including his mother and wife, have made emotional appeals to Governor Bala Mohammed to intervene and secure his release, citing their long-standing support for the governor and the ruling party.

Shamsudeen had disabled the comment section of his Facebook page following a revelation by human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, that he (Shamsudeen) used dozens of bank accounts to launder public funds.

SaharaReporters observed on Friday that Shamsudeen, whose Facebook page boasts over 45,000 followers, restricted public interaction on his posts shortly after Sowore’s exposé went viral.

The activist had earlier revealed that Shamsudeen opened about 50 different bank accounts to facilitate money laundering activities tied to his politically powerful father and mother.

Sowore had said the Governor’s son used corporate fronts to divert state funds for personal and political gain.

In the post, Sowore wrote, “Shamsudeen Bala Mohammed opened up to 50 bank accounts to launder money from Bauchi State on behalf of his father and CORPORATE fronts and his mother, and he wants to be oppressing our brother, Dr. Abubakar Ahmad, because he wants to use stolen funds to buy the Senatorial position in Bauchi so as to continue robbing the state.”

SaharaReporters had earlier reported that Justice Kawu Yarima of the Bauchi State High Court had come under scrutiny for allegedly lacking the necessary experience and qualifications for his judicial role, following his decision to deny bail to Dr. Abubakar Ahmad, a lecturer.

Justice Yarima, who presides over Court 15, was appointed in 2024 by the National Judicial Council (NJC) under the former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola.

His recent ruling on Thursday, which denied bail to Ahmad, has generated public outcry and questions about the competence of newly appointed judicial officers.

A source familiar with the case told SaharaReporters that the judge’s refusal to grant bail raised concerns about his understanding of the law and judicial discretion, particularly in cases that involve non-violent defendants.

The source alleged that Justice Yarima, who was only recently appointed, lacks the necessary experience and qualifications to handle such cases.

"Justice Kawu Yarima of Bauchi State High Court; the one who denied Dr. Abubakar Ahmad's bail,” the source said.

"He presides over Court 15. He was appointed not long ago. He's a novice and unqualified. He is the judge who denied the Bauchi lecturer bail on Thursday."

Meanwhile, Sowore had also stated that no individual should have the authority or right to use stolen public funds to oppress Nigerian citizens.

Sowore made the statement on Friday via his social media handles while calling for the immediate release of Ahmad from what he described as unjust imprisonment.

He emphasised that citizens have the right to express themselves concerning the governance of their nation freely.

Sowore condemned Shamsuddeen Bala Mohammed, the son of Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, describing him as a tyrant for using state power against Dr. Ahmad.

He further stated that Shamsuddeen must release Dr. Ahmad and end the repressive criminal trial against him, accusing him of leveraging his connection with the “illegal” Inspector-General of Police and misappropriating public funds to carry out acts of oppression.