The Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, has been fingered as the author of the petition that led to the re-arrest of political activist Deji Adeyanju, who was initially arrested on November 28 for holding a protest to demand police neutrality in 2019 general election.

He was released from a federal prison in Keffi on Monday — but was re-arrested by a police team which had laid a siege around the correctional facility.

According to his associate, Ariyo-Dare Atoye the police is now plotting to charge him on allegations of aiding terrorism on social media with the Chief of Army Staff being behind it.

Before the November 28 protest that dispersed with his arrest by a police team, Mr Adeyanju had led demonstrations outside major foreign diplomatic missions in Abuja, saying in his complaints that Nigeria’s future could be on the brink should security chiefs be allowed to continue in their current partisan posturing.

The police denied Mr Adeyanju’s allegations that they were working to ensure the reelection President Muhammadu Buhari, even if it involves upturning the will of the majority through rigging of ballots.

They arraigned him late Monday afternoon before Karshi Chief Magistrate’s Court on the outskirts of the nation’s capital, alongside two others who were said to have taken part in the protest.

Daniel Abobama and Boma Williams were released from Keffi Prison on Monday afternoon, hours before Mr Adeyanju regained his temporary freedom from the same facility.

Following his re-arrest, Mr Adeyanju was moved to the Abuja police command headquarters, Mr Atoye said, amidst uncertainties over his fate.

“We are expecting him to either be arraigned tomorrow, be released on administrative bail or be kept in perpetual custody under the pretext of continuous investigation,” Mr Atoye said. “This does not bode well for our democracy.”

Mr Adeyanju’s detention has continued to draw stern condemnation from rights groups and individuals, and many Nigerians also see it as a descent into brazen abuse of power reminiscent of the dark days of military dictatorship.

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