Governor Arrests, Charges Opposition Member For Addressing Himself As ‘His Excellency’ On Billboard
In a post on his X account on Wednesday, human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju accused Governor Zulum of ordering the arrest of Attom because his support group put up a billboard for him in the state.
Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum’s administration has filed charges against the 2023 Borno Central Senatorial candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, Attom Magira.
Magira has been arrested and detained by the police in Borno.
In a post on his X account on Wednesday, human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju accused Governor Zulum of ordering the arrest of Attom because his support group put up a billboard for him in the state.
“Look at the embarrassing things Zulum is doing in Borno. He arrested an opposition guy because his support group put up a billboard for him then drafted this childish charge against him after locking the man up for 10 days. Then planning to revoke his land,” he said.
Borno Governor Zulum Arrests, Charges Opposition Member For Addressing Himself As ‘His Excellency’ On Billboard
Also on December 22, 2024, Attom was arrested by the operatives of the crack unit of Borno State police command.
According to the charges filed by the state (Complainant) against Attom (Defendant) in the High Court of Justice, Borno State, and shared by Adeyanju, the former senatorial candidate was accused of referring to himself as HE (His Excellency) Attom Muh’d Magira on a billboard.
The opposition member was also accused of saying ‘Yes to merger’, “knowing that same was likely to cause a breach of public peace”.
The first count reads: “That you, Attom Magira Tom ‘m’ 43′ yrs old, on or about the 22/12/2024, at about 2000 hrs at Bulumkutu along Maiduguri-Kano Road, Maiduguri, which is within the jurisdiction of this honorable Court, did commit an illegal act, to wit; falsely personated His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Borno State, in that you mounted your picture on a Bill-Board and addressed yourself as HE ATTOM MUH’D MAGIRA and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 97 of the Penal Code Law of Borno State, 2023.”
Borno Governor Zulum Arrests, Charges Opposition Member For Addressing Himself As ‘His Excellency’ On Billboard
Count Two reads: “That you, Attom Magira Tom ‘m’ ’43’ yrs old, on or about the 22/12/2024, at about 2000 hrs at Bulumkutu along Maiduguri-Kano Road, Maiduguri, which is within the jurisdiction of this honorable Court, did commit an illegal act, to wit; inciting public disturbance, in that you mounted your picture on a Bill-Board with the inscription ‘SAY YES to MERGER, knowing that same was likely to cause a breach of public peace and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 79 of the Penal Code Law of Borno State, 2023.
The charges were filed by Hauwa Abubakar Isa, Attorney General of Borno State and others in the Attorney-General’s Chambers, Ministry of Justice, Borno State.
Borno Governor Zulum Arrests, Charges Opposition Member For Addressing Himself As ‘His Excellency’ On Billboard
Earlier, on January 24, 2025, the Borno State Urban Planning and Development Board (BOUPDB), wrote to Attom, notifying him of a notice to revoke a development permit earlier issued to him.
The letter signed the agency General Manager, Tpl. Liman Gana Mustapha, reads, “Sequel to the letters ref BSUPDB/DC/021/vol.1/13 and your Consultant HASEEB ENGINEERING LIMITED recommendation ref: HEC/ST/24/025 dated 20th June, 2024 and 24th June, 2024 respectively, which you have failed to address them. The Board has now resolved to invoke section 51 of the law establishing it.
“In view of the above, the Development Permit issued to you in respect of the Commercial Development is hereby revoked.
“Subsequently, this letter also serves as Demolition Notice to both the illegal 5th floor of the Commercial Development or the whole development and the Multi Purpose Hall which you have constructed without obtaining approval from the Board.
Borno Governor Zulum Arrests, Charges Opposition Member For Addressing Himself As ‘His Excellency’ On Billboard
“Therefore, you are directed to remove the 5th floor and demolish the other unapproved multipurpose development as well as to relocate the fence to align with the property line within seven (7) days of receipt of this letter.
“Failure to comply within the stipulated time, the Board will undertake the removal/demolition and cost recovered from you as stipulated by the enabling law.
“However, you are advised in your interest to remove the illegal 5th floor by yourself as the Board will not guarantee to salvage the rest of the floors if it were to undertake the removal by it.”
