By Edwin Philip, Lafia
Archbishop Prof. Emmanuel Musa Jatau, Founder of Faith Hill Prophetic Assembly, Piwoyi, Abuja, has appealed to Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, to consider humanitarian grounds in the continued detention of a Nasarawa-based media activist, Abdulkarim Alanana Mai’yau, popularly known as Oscar Keana.
Jatau made the appeal in a letter dated October 7, 2026, following Keana’s remand in custody by a Federal High Court sitting in Lafia over allegations arising from publications concerning the governor.
Keana is facing a two-count charge relating to alleged false information. The matter, filed as suit No. FHC/LF/176C/2026, is before the Federal High Court in Lafia.
The court has fixed November 26 for hearing of his bail application.
In the letter addressed to Governor Sule, Jatau said he had no personal relationship with Keana and had never met him, adding that his intervention was motivated solely by humanitarian considerations.
He stressed that his appeal should not be interpreted as an attempt to determine the truth or otherwise of the allegations against the defendant.
According to him, the responsibility for determining the merits of the case rests with the court.
Jatau appealed to the governor to consider Keana’s family circumstances and general welfare and, where permitted by law, support his release on appropriate conditions pending the determination of the case.
He said such a gesture would demonstrate restraint and magnanimity without interfering with the judicial process.
Keana was reportedly transferred on Tuesday from the Lafia Custodial Centre to the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Nasarawa following his arraignment by the Department of State Services, DSS.
Reports on the case indicate that the activist was remanded after being arraigned over publications which the authorities considered false and concerning Governor Sule.
The allegations against Keana have not been established by a court, and the case remains before the Federal High Court.
The court’s decision on the pending bail application is expected on November 26.
Jatau urged all parties to allow the judicial process to run its course while appealing for consideration of the defendant’s circumstances pending the determination of the case.
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