War Against Injustice (WAI) says it is deeply alarmed by the ongoing case of Halifa Garba, a 25-year-old man who has been wrongfully imprisoned by the Kumbotso Upper Shariah Court in Kano.
A statement issued on Sunday by the Executive Director of WAI, Comr. Umar Ibrahim Umar, said the remand follows accusations made by his employer, Sa’idu Dogo-Maliya (also known as Dogo Me-mai), who allegedly made inappropriate homosexual advances towards Mr. Garba. Despite presenting evidence to substantiate his claims, Mr. Garba now faces defamation charges while suffering from serious injuries inflicted by hired thugs.
According to the statement, the legal battle began when Mr. Garba, employed as an errand boy and personal driver for Dogo-Maliya, refused the employer’s persistent advances, which included sending explicit images and videos of a homosexual nature via WhatsApp.
“When Mr. Garba responded with an expression of surprise, his employer reportedly pressured him to delete the videos and pictures. In an attempt to intimidate him further, Dogo-Maliya allegedly orchestrated an assassination attempt against Mr. Garba, which left the young man seriously injured.
“Despite surviving the attack, Mr. Garba was subsequently accused of defaming his employer’s character. The police ignored his evidence, including explicit images and conversation screenshots, and instead chose to file charges against him.
“Additionally, it is reported that Dogo-Maliya may have met privately with the presiding judge, Mansur Bello, ahead of the court hearing to ensure a favorable outcome for himself. This series of events raises serious concerns about judicial fairness and abuse of power.”
The statement further read;
“War Against Injustice is appalled by the lack of due process and the apparent collusion between Dogo-Maliya, the Police and the judiciary. We firmly believe that the actions against Mr. Garba are a violation of his basic human rights, and we demand the immediate release of Halifa Garba, who has been unjustly remanded despite suffering injuries from an orchestrated attack.
“Mr. Garba must be granted the right to a fair trial, and the judicial system should ensure that no one is subject to such unlawful treatment.
“Furthermore, we call for an independent investigation into the actions of Sa’idu Dogo-Maliya, the police officers involved in this case, and the judge who appears to have facilitated this miscarriage of justice. Those responsible for these illegal actions must be held accountable to restore faith in the legal system and ensure justice for all.
“It is imperative that the trial of Halifa Garba is conducted impartially, free from any external interference or bias, so that a just and transparent outcome can be achieved. We will continue to monitor this case closely and advocate for Mr. Garba’s right to be treated fairly by the law.
“We also urge all civil society organizations, human rights advocates, and activists to join us in demanding justice for Halifa Garba.
“This case highlights not only the failure of the legal system but also the need to protect individuals from abuse and exploitation. We will not rest until justice is served and those responsible for this injustice are held accountable.”
