The Muslim Public Affairs Centre (MPAC) has criticized the arrest and continued detention of Abubakar Affan by the Department of State Services (DSS), describing the action as a threat to freedom of expression and justice in Nigeria.
In a statement issued Wednesday and signed by its Executive Chairman, Disu Kamor, the group said Affan was detained over what it described as a peaceful civic expression concerning international accountability for alleged war crimes.
MPAC cited concerns highlighted in a report by Amnesty International, arguing that the detention without full constitutional safeguards raises questions about the protection of civil liberties in the country.
“When a citizen is punished for lawful expression, it signals more than enforcement—it signals repression,” the statement said, warning that such actions could create a climate of fear, promote self-censorship, and undermine democratic institutions.
According to the organization, Affan’s advocacy is linked to calls for international justice involving Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is facing legal scrutiny in proceedings associated with the International Court of Justice (ICJ). MPAC maintained that peaceful demands for accountability are constitutionally protected and should not be criminalized.
The group also referenced a case instituted by South Africa against Israel at the ICJ on December 29, 2023, alleging violations of the 1948 Genocide Convention in Gaza. The case, titled Application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in the Gaza Strip (South Africa v. Israel), has drawn participation from countries including Spain, Ireland, Libya, Mexico, Belgium, Türkiye, and Comoros, while Nigeria has yet to join the proceedings.
MPAC described the authorities’ response to Affan’s actions as “disproportionate and punitive,” cautioning that targeting pro-Palestinian advocacy could be perceived as suppressing legitimate humanitarian or political expression.
The organization also recalled the August 2025 arrest of Ramzy Abu Ibrahim, identified as a leader within the Palestinian community in Nigeria, who was reportedly detained in Abuja over advocacy related to Gaza and later released without trial.
MPAC called for Affan’s immediate and unconditional release, restoration of his constitutional rights including access to legal counsel and family and public disclosure of the legal basis for his arrest. It further demanded independent oversight of security agencies’ conduct concerning civic expression.
The group urged Nigerian authorities to uphold the rule of law and safeguard democratic freedoms, stressing that a nation’s strength lies in its commitment to justice and fundamental rights.