The men were identified as Baba Aji Gremami, Mustapha Abba Yemen, Abacha Mohammed Ali, Adam Umar Gubio and Abdulhamid Mohammed.
According to the police allegations contained in the FIR, the men allegedly conspired to print and wear the T-shirts around the West End Roundabout area of Maiduguri on September 25, with the intention of causing a breach of public peace.
They were reportedly charged with criminal conspiracy, inciting disturbance, disturbance of public peace and thuggery under Sections 60, 78, 79 and 392 of the Borno State Penal Code.
Reports said the five men pleaded not guilty when they appeared before the Chief Magistrate Court I in Maiduguri, while their lawyers applied for bail. The case was reportedly adjourned for a ruling on the bail application.
Amnesty International has condemned the reported arrests, arguing that wearing a T-shirt expressing political dissent should not, in itself, constitute a criminal offence.
The rights organisation called for the immediate and unconditional release of the men and urged authorities to discontinue what it described as a prosecution based on questionable charges.
Amnesty also alleged that the Borno State Government and police have increasingly targeted opposition parties and their supporters through arrests and detention.
“The right to show and express political opinion is not exclusive to only one political party,” the organisation said.
It urged the authorities to uphold citizens’ rights to freedom of expression and association and respect the rule of law.
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