Pro-President Buhari blogger and social media influencer, Abubakar Usman has been released by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, after spending more than 36 hours in custody for alleged ”cyberstalking”, his lawyer disclosed to Premium Times Tuesday.
Michael Bello said his client was released on an administrative bail with conditions that he must make himself available to the EFCC whenever he received an invitation to such effect.
“I can confirm to you that my client has just been released on bail,” Mr. Bello said. “He is very grateful to Nigerians for voicing out against his detention.”
Mr. Usman, a pro-government blogger, was whisked away from his residence by operatives on Monday morning, on allegations that he breached the Cyber Crime Act, 2015.
His family said his arrest was in connection to a story he published on his website which the EFCC deemed critical of its chairman, Ibrahim Magu.
In a new twist, opposition observers say his arrest appears a decoy by the EFCC to lay a ground narrative for the eventual crackdown on opposition bloggers, vocal social media influencers and online publishers.
Many in this school of thought believe Usman may be acting a script for the EFCC as his arrest and detention for a little over 24 hours has prepared a justifiable narrative for President Buhari’s government to go after dissenting voices in the new media space under the guise of “cyber loitering” or “cyber stalking”.
The message of the State Squad 08-08 through the arrest of Abu Sidiq is that no one is untouchable even their own. The lying blogger is fine
— 7th Dimension (@7DLife_NG) August 8, 2016
They launched WAI and suddenly #FreeAbusidiq was arrested to prove a point that if we can arrest our own supporter???? Then who are you?
— The Nigerian Wailers (@NGRWailers) August 8, 2016
Recall that on Monday, the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government, relaunched the War Against Indiscipline, WAI Brigade, in Abuja – a campaign first initiated by Buhari in 1983 under his despotic military regime.
Citizens who witnessed Buhari’s WAI campaign over 30 years ago recall the era with reminiscences of horror and brutality.
WAI infantilised, traumatised and dehumanised Nigerians. I recall it with revulsion and fear. A horrible relic unsalvageable in any form.
— Funmi Iyanda (@Funmilola) August 8, 2016
SIGNAL could not reach Wilson Uwujaren the spokesperson of EFCC for comments at the time of filing this report.
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