Forced Marriage: Gombe activist wins case against NAPTIP
Story by Najibullahi ADAMU, Gombe
The Gombe State High Court has dismissed a suit against a human rights activist in the state, Comrade Musa Ali Maishanu, filed by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking In Persons (NAPTIP), Gombe State office.
NAPTIP, through the Nigeria Police Force, arraigned Maishanu for allegedly threatening to organise a protest against the agency’s perceived inaction in handling a case involving a girl, Hauwa Musa (also known as ‘Ladidi’), who was reportedly abducted and married off in Adamawa State.
Maishanu, the North-East Regional Coordinator of an international organisation ‘Global Pan-Africanism Network’ (GPAN), had threatened to organise a protest over the alleged inaction by NAPTIP on the matter, leading to his arrest and detention by the Department of State Services (DSS) and subsequent arraignment in court by the police.
However, the Gombe State High Court 3 (Appeal Section) recently dismissed the case against Maishanu, with Presiding Judge, Justice Habila Haruna Kereng, ruling that the activist did not commit any offense and discharging him.
READ ALSO: Forced marriage in Bauchi now attracts 2 years imprisonment
Barrister Sunday Nbobo, counsel to Maishanu, explained that the plaintiff failed to appear in court to present evidence against his client, leading to the case’s dismissal.
Maishanu expressed excitement about the victory, stating that it would enable him to focus on his activities without distraction.
Proofreading by Gift Luckson, Editor at Neptune Prime.
