Musa Azare, a blogger who was arrested by the police for allegedly criticizing Governor Mohammed Abubakar of Bauchi State has regained his freedom.
Azare, who works with the Judicial Service Commission, was reportedly picked up in Abuja, last week, for alleged “cyber stalking” and criticizing some of the policies and programmes of the Bauchi State governor.
It was gathered that a deputy commissioner of police was deployed from Bauchi to carry out the arrest in Abuja while the governor was in faraway China.
However, the governor, who returned last Saturday, directed that Azare should be released.
Musa Azare had also written on his Facebook page that he has regained his freedom.
Earlier this evening, I was informed that a blogger from Bauchi, and critic of my government, was arrested @chairmanNHRC
— M.A. Abubakar (@GovMAA) August 21, 2016
The report I was given accused the blogger of cyber stalking and other alleged offences. @chairmanNHRC
— M.A. Abubakar (@GovMAA) August 21, 2016
However, I'm a lawyer and believer in free speech in democracy. Hence, I have asked for his immediate release. @chairmanNHRC
— M.A. Abubakar (@GovMAA) August 21, 2016