In this special report, JENNIFER YARIMA tells the gripping story of a young salesman, Ghali Mohammed, whose life was shattered by false accusations and wrongful imprisonment in Bauchi State. Detained for months without trial after being accused of theft by his cousin and employer, his freedom was miraculously restored through the intervention of his secondary school classmates, proving that solidarity and compassion can triumph over injustice
Ghali’s ordeal began while managing the filling station business of his cousin, Alhaji Sani Dogon Arziki, whom he referred to as his father. Alhaji Sani, who resides at Kwararafa community in Jos, Jos North LGA, and owns textile shops at Abuja Market opposite Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), had employed Ghali since 2001, when he was still a secondary school student helping to sell textile materials.
Two salesgirls previously managed the filling station before Ghali was asked to take over. According to him, the business was struggling when he assumed control, with daily sales barely reaching ₦70,000 before noon.
“After careful findings, most motorists complained of the owner’s attitude which drastically affected the business,” he disclosed. But under his management, the station recovered and began offloading fuel tankers weekly.
However, the business success did not translate into personal progress. Ghali was given only ₦500 daily, with no salary or allowance. “For years I had struggled with ₦500 except for the goodwill of some drivers who occasionally came to my aid,” he said.
“The work was so demanding that I had no time to visit my parents in Kano. Even when my father took ill before he died, this man couldn’t let me go or support me.”
After years of hardship, Ghali left the job in 2014 to start a flower business with a bishop at the ECWA Seminary in Jos. But family pressure later forced him to return to work for Alhaji on January 15, 2016. Sadly, loyalty soon turned to betrayal when he was falsely accused of stealing ₦5 million from his employer.
From false accusation to harrowing imprisonment
Ghali recalled that his arrest came just three days before the Sallah celebration while working in a Kano garage. “I was tracked through a military friend and arrested in Kano with another friend,” he narrated.
“At the Tilden Fulani Police Station in Bauchi State, Alhaji was not sure of the amount he accused me of stealing — he said between ₦5 and ₦7 million. When asked to present records, only ₦1.8 million was found in total sales, with ₦616,000 unaccounted for.”
He was detained for 11 days without legal representation, tortured and coerced into a confession. “I was threatened by the police to admit to the crime or face worse torture at the State CID. Out of fear, I admitted. I even pleaded with Alhaji to sell my inheritance in Kano to recover his money,” he said.
The nightmare deepened at the Bauchi State CID, where he was held for 30 more days. “I overheard Alhaji tell an officer in Hausa, ‘ka zo muyi rawan tula’ (let’s bargain), and he said I should be dealt with,” Ghali recounted. He alleged severe torture from Inspector Gashin Baki, who bruised his head and left him with swollen limbs.
When finally transferred to the Bauchi Correctional Centre, Ghali met inhumane conditions. “I used my bare hands to drink salty, hot water. Over 50 of us were crammed in a dark room without ventilation. I couldn’t bathe for 40 days. I had to clean the pit latrine because I couldn’t afford ₦20 bail,” he said, tearfully.
Old students rally for justice
Salvation came from an unexpected source — his alma mater, Government Secondary School Gangare Old Students Association, Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State. The association traced his whereabouts and intervened to secure his release after 14 months of wrongful detention.
“I am very grateful to my classmates of set 2008 who looked for me through our school platform,” Ghali said emotionally. “Seeing someone you know without even giving anything meant a lot to me.”
One of the rescuers, Anas Hshim Mohammed, explained their motivation: “I noticed Ghali’s absence on our group platform and found out he was in prison at Nabordo in Bauchi State. I alerted my colleagues, and together we contacted a lawyer to secure his freedom,” he told THE NIGERIA STANDARD. According to him, Barrister Bashir Mohammed took up the case, while two old students stood as sureties. “It’s sad that the O.C. Legal requested ₦150,000 to cancel the case, which we declined,” he claimed.
Barrister Bashir Mohammed described the detention as illegal and an infringement of Ghali’s fundamental rights. “He was arrested in July 2024 and detained for 12 days without a court order. The High Court struck out the remand warrant for lack of diligent prosecution. This man deserves a proper legal remedy,” he said, adding that the matter has now been filed in court awaiting assignment to a judge by the Chief Judge of Bauchi State.
The legal process is being supported by A. Abba Foundation in Bauchi, Community Aids Workers Initiative (CAWI) and Back to Base Initiative for Vulnerable People in Jos — all advocating justice for Ghali.
Though his prison experience was harrowing, the solidarity shown by his schoolmates rekindled his faith in humanity. Ghali’s story is a testament to the power of community, compassion and resilience. It underscores the urgent need for justice reform and reminds us that collective action can restore hope even after the darkest trials.