Marcus Fakana, the British teenager who was imprisoned in Dubai after engaging in a consensual relationship with a 17-year-old girl, has been released and returned to the UK, following a royal pardon issued by the ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

Fakana, now 19, had been sentenced in December 2024 to a one-year jail term after authorities in the United Arab Emirates, UAE, were alerted to his relationship with the girl, also British, during a family holiday last summer.

The girl’s mother, upon discovering private messages between the pair after returning to the UK, reported him to UAE authorities. Although the relationship was consensual, UAE law sets the age of consent at 18.

According to Detained in Dubai, DinD, a legal advocacy group that supported Fakana throughout his ordeal, he was granted clemency as part of an Eid pardon, a traditional act of mercy during the Muslim festival which allows rulers to offer selected prisoners a second chance.

“He’s overwhelmed,” said Radha Stirling, the group’s founder, who has been in contact with Fakana’s family.

“It’s always very difficult when someone’s suddenly released after six months. For a young man, a boy, really, as I would see him… It’s just unfathomable for most people how long it would take to recover from such a situation.”

Describing the family’s emotional roller coaster, Stirling added, “He was absolutely very nervous, of course, and his whole family too. But I mean, once you’ve been told ‘buy that plane ticket’, there’s obviously a sense of relief at that point. His family is just over the moon to have him back early.”

Fakana, from Tottenham in north London, had been in Dubai with his parents since late August 2024 when, according to Detained in Dubai, a “holiday romance blossomed” with another London-based teen, who has since turned 18.

The two were reportedly in the same school year, leading Fakana to believe she was of legal age.

Stirling questioned the prosecution, saying: “I think the law saying that an 18-year-old can’t engage in relations with someone who’s just a few weeks younger than him is quite strict and perhaps shouldn’t be applied to tourists.”

“Furthermore,” she added, “Marcus didn’t know that she was under 18; they were in the same school year and it seemed fair and reasonable that he assumed her to be 18 as well.

“So I think again under those circumstances he shouldn’t have been prosecuted.”

In a broader warning to families, Stirling cautioned: “Parents need to be aware that teens can be charged in the UAE for behaviour that would not be considered criminal at home, whether that’s a relationship, social media activity, or even drinking alcohol.”

The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, FCDO, confirmed its support for Fakana and noted that he was released last week as part of the Eid pardon.

The FCDO added that he had chosen to return quietly to his family without media fanfare.

The Commandant of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Kaduna State Command, Nuhu Dansadau has warned personnel against getting involved in job racketeering, rumour mongering, noting the vices are detrimental to the growth of the corps.

The Command’s Public Relations Officer, Musa Labaran, in a statement said the commandant gave the warning to his men on Monday, in Kaduna during a muster parade address at the NSCDC Kaduna State Command Headquarters.

Dansadau emphasized that personnel must always conduct themselves according to exact rules as contained in the Public Service rules or face consequences of their misbehaviour.

The Commandant, who was not happy over some characters displayed by some members of the corps, said disciplinary actions would be taken against personnel found guilty, noting that it would serve as a detriment to others.

‘I am not happy over the nonchalant attitude of personnel despite my several warnings concerning discipline.

Each time I have the opportunity to speak to you, I keep emphasizing on DISCIPLINE but most of you take me for granted because of my loving kindness to all officers and men

‘I want you to be aware that from today, whoever is caught going against the line of discipline will be seriously dealt with.

“I am going to apply the Public Service rule, to punish anyone found to be indiscipline in the course of duties,” the Commandant warned.

“The scope of indicsiplene includes; Job racketeering, absentism without permission, traveling outside state without pass permit, lateness to work, closing before time, inappropriate dressing, lack of respect for seniority officers, abuse of office and several other characters that are inimical to the NSCDC.

“I therefore, advise you in your own interest to desist from your bad characters henceforth, else you will face the full consequences of your action” the statement said.

The Sokoto State Government has called on notorious bandit leader Bello Turji to prove he truly wants peace by stopping attacks on villages and releasing all kidnapped victims still in his custody.

This follows Turji’s recent audio message where he expressed interest in peace and urged other armed groups to do the same.

Reacting to the message, the Security Adviser to the Governor of Sokoto State, Col. Ahmed Usman (rtd), said the government would only take Turji seriously if he backs his words with real action.

“Anyone can say they want peace. But the real test is what they do next. If Turji is serious, he should stop attacking our rural communities and release the innocent people he’s still holding.”

He added that the Sokoto State Government, led by Governor Ahmed Aliyu, remains focused on restoring peace and supporting security agencies.

However, he warned that the government will not let its guard down or fall for statements without substance.

“This government will not be swayed by audio messages. Peace must come through action, not just words,” he said.

Usman stressed that the state will continue working with communities and security forces to protect lives and resist any group trying to destabilise the region.