Amnesty International Nigeria has urged authorities to conduct an impartial and transparent investigation into the mounting threats against Hamdiyya Sidi Shariff and her lawyer, Abba Hikima, amidst a contentious trial in Sokoto State.
Hamdiyya, accused of using “insulting or abusive language” and “inciting disturbance” following her alleged criticism of Sokoto State Governor Ahmed Aliyu, has reportedly become the target of relentless threats and harassment.
Isa Sanusi, Amnesty International’s Director, painted a troubling picture of the situation, citing intimidating phone calls, confrontations by suspected thugs, and surveillance by individuals claiming to be intelligence agents.
“These actions represent an alarming abuse of power and a calculated attempt to intimidate and punish those who speak out for their society and lawyers defending them,” Sanusi declared in a statement on the 19th of January 2025.
The hostility took a dangerous turn during the most recent court session, where Barrister Hikima had to seek armed police protection due to a tense and hostile courtroom atmosphere.
While the court granted the request, the harassment persisted, with reports of stalking at their hotel and further intimidation.
Hamdiyya’s harrowing experience dates back to the 13th of November, 2024, when she was abducted by armed men while retrieving her phone from a charging point.
Brutally beaten and thrown out of a moving tricycle, she sustained severe injuries.
Amnesty International has strongly condemned the Sokoto State government and security agencies for their failure to address these threats, accusing them of focusing instead on silencing dissent.
“Instead of attempting to silence critics, Sokoto authorities should prioritize addressing the rampant insecurity affecting the eastern part of the state, where gunmen continue to kill, abduct, and displace residents,” Sanusi emphasized.