Mairiga Hassan Shaharu, a staff member of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), has regained his freedom following what has been described as an “unlawful detention” allegedly orchestrated by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Ezenwo Wike.

The release was confirmed early Saturday after sustained public outcry and legal intervention, according to human rights activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore, who broke the news via social media.

According to Sowore, Shaharu was detained through a directive allegedly facilitated by the Minister’s Chief Security Officer, ACP Mohammed Iya Musa, over his alleged role in exposing land-related corruption within the FCT administration. The arrest, Sowore claimed, was part of a cover-up to suppress whistleblowing against criminal land-grabbing activities.

It was also alleged that the detention warrant used to hold Shaharu was forged, prompting his eventual release by the Nigeria Police Force. “The detention was a blatant attempt to silence legitimate whistleblowing,” Sowore wrote, praising Nigerians who protested the move.

Following his release, Shaharu was taken to the office of the Head of Service at the FCDA, where he is reportedly being issued a formal query and given 72 hours to respond to internal administrative allegations.

Sowore commended the swift legal intervention of attorneys Rosemary Hamza and A.K. Musa, who he said led a legal patrol team through the night to secure Shaharu’s release.

Civil rights groups and online activists have also weighed in, demanding accountability over what they describe as an abuse of power and a threat to public service whistleblowers.

As of the time of this report, neither the FCT Minister nor the police have issued an official response to the allegations of forged documents or unlawful detention.