Nigerian blogger detained for five days

A Nigerian blogger on Thursday spent his fourth night in detention for writing a controversial blog post.

Jamil Mabai, a blogger based in the Northwestern state of Katsina, was arrested by officers of the Nigerian Police Force on Monday in Kaduna.

The blogger is a known critic of the Katsina administration led by Aminu Masari on his blog, Cliqq Magazine.

A Magistrate Court in Katsina on Thursday declined jurisdiction to try him. The judge instead asked that he be further detained.

Mr. Mabai’s arrest is believed to have been ordered by the governor, a claim the latter’s spokesperson denied.

A family friend of Mr. Mabai told Premium Times that the governor was not happy with his recent post condemning the recent purchase of 3000 metal coffins for distribution to Mosques in the state.

Mr. Mabai said by purchasing the coffins, Mr. Masari is simply saying “Katsina people deserve to die”.

He also questioned the rationale behind buying the coffins at N40,000 each at a time the government was unable to pay civil servants outstanding arrears of salaries.

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