Fatoma was arrested in the early hours of Tuesday after giving an interview on the popular breakfast ‘Good Morning Salone’ program on Radio Democracy, 98.1FM. 

Lawyer Francis Ben Kaifala, one of his lawyers, said the claims by parliament that Fatoma had not registered his organization sounded funny, adding that people who worked for civil society should be given the freedom to operate in the country.

He added: “Abdul Fatoma’s case is one of the tragedies that our democracy is facing and people who work for civil society should be given the freedom to express themselves. I know they should do it within the boundaries of the law.”

He furthered explained that parliamentarian should have clarified whatever claims levelled against them, adding that Fatoma should not have been arrested for expressing himself.

The accountability advocate was arrested for accusing the house of parliament of misusing funds its members were given to undertake projects. His arrest met criticisms from civil rights campaigners.