The Department of State Services (DSS) on Tuesday formally arraigned Atiku Abubakar Isah, the embattled President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), before a Magistrate Court sitting in Zone 6, Abuja.
Isah, who arrived in court dressed in all black, is currently at the center of a deepening controversy involving rival factions within the student union, with one group reportedly enjoying the backing of Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
During the proceedings, the court granted Isah bail to the tune of ₦5 million, with a requirement for one surety in the same amount.
Speaking to SaharaReporters, human rights lawyer Marshal Abubakar of Falana & Falana Chambers, who is representing Isah, disclosed that his client was charged with two key offences: inciting public unrest and impersonating a public official.
According to the DSS, Isah allegedly provoked students to disrupt public peace during a lawful gathering and attempted to undermine what the agency described as the legitimate NANS leadership by continuing to parade himself as the national president. He was also accused of interfering with a meeting organized by individuals claiming to be the newly elected executives of the student body.
Backstory of Detention and Alleged Mistreatment
Before his court appearance, serious concerns had been raised regarding Isah’s welfare while in DSS custody. Reports emerged that the student leader had been subjected to degrading treatment, including being denied food, medical attention, and basic hygiene, a situation that left his family and legal representatives alarmed.
Sources within the DSS confided to SaharaReporters that the order to arrest and detain Isah was allegedly influenced by Olusola Ladoja, who is also claiming leadership of NANS and is believed to be supported by the Seyi Tinubu-backed faction. Ladoja reportedly submitted a formal petition to the DSS requesting Isah’s arrest for continued impersonation.
In a statement released on April 30, 2025, Ladoja asserted that Isah had no legitimate claim to the NANS presidency, having allegedly boycotted the recent national convention that produced a new leadership. He described Isah’s continued claim to the office as a breach of the student body’s constitution and warned that such actions must be dealt with through legal and institutional mechanisms.
Family Raises Alarm Over Inhumane Conditions
Members of Isah’s family, speaking anonymously, revealed disturbing details of his condition in detention. One relative claimed that Isah had been left without food for extended periods and was visibly frail, disoriented, and in declining health.
“He looked completely worn out,” the relative said. “His clothes were unkempt, and he hadn’t eaten all day. He even told us he thinks he’s coming down with something because of the cold cell and lack of medication.”
The family also alleged that Isah is only able to communicate with DSS officials when his family visits. During one such visit, he was seen pleading with an officer for food. “They told him to write his request down, but once we left, nothing changed,” another source said. “They just threw him back into the cell. He’s being treated worse than a convict, and yet no proper charges were filed until now.”
The DSS, according to the family, has repeatedly assured them that Isah would be released soon, but weeks have gone by with no concrete steps taken, raising fears about his physical and mental well-being.
Growing Tension in Student Politics
This development underscores the growing turmoil within NANS, Nigeria’s foremost student union, which has been marred by internal factionalism and alleged external political interference. Analysts warn that the ongoing leadership tussle, if not carefully managed, could undermine the credibility of student representation across the country.
As the legal battle unfolds, human rights groups and student organizations are calling on the DSS to respect due process and ensure that Isah’s fundamental rights are protected throughout the proceedings. They are also urging President Tinubu’s administration to refrain from allowing state agencies to be weaponized in internal student politics.
Isah’s case is expected to return to court for further hearing in the coming weeks.
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