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By Damiete Braide
The National Youth Council of Nigeria (Diaspora) has made a passionate appeal to the government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), to urgently intervene in the case of a Nigerian citizen, Sodiq Tope Bello, who has reportedly been in detention since November 2024, without formal charges.
In a statement signed by its president, Collins Osazee Idahosa, the council urged the authorities in Dubai and Abu Dhabi to investigate the circumstances surrounding Bello’s arrest and continued detention.
According to the council, Bello, 30, was stopped at Dubai International Airport while transiting to Ghana for a short holiday. Since then, he has remained in custody and is being held at the Abu Dhabi Central Jail.
The group expressed concerns that Bello has neither been formally charged nor presented before a competent court, describing the situation as a violation of fundamental human rights and due process.
“The prolonged nature of Bello’s detention without access to fair hearing raises serious concerns,” the statement explained, noting that the council, through its UAE chapter, had previously escalated the matter to the Nigerian High Commission in Dubai.
The council said the decision to make a public appeal was driven by the need to ensure justice and transparency, particularly in the light of absence of clear legal proceedings.
It called on UAE authorities to conduct a prompt and transparent investigation, ensure Bello is granted access to legal representation and either charge him in accordance with the law or release him, if no credible evidence exists.
The council also appealed to the UAE to uphold international legal standards and human rights obligations, emphasising the longstanding diplomatic and economic ties between Nigeria and the Gulf nation.
Nigeria and the UAE maintain strong bilateral relations, particularly in trade, travel and investment.
The council expressed optimism that the matter would receive urgent attention, adding that it trusts in the UAE’s commitment to the rule of law and humane treatment of individuals within its jurisdiction.
At the time of reporting, there has been no official response from UAE authorities regarding the case.
