The Secretary of State in Nampula province, Jaime Neto, until now, has been identified as the high-ranking leader who used his status to order the arrest of a customs agent in the city of Nampulafor allegedly disobeying him in his capacity as hierarchical superior.

The case has been in the press, and opinions about it come from various quarters.

The former president of the Portuguese Bar Association (OAM), Flávio Menete, says there has been an abuse of power and usurpation of competences by the authority that ordered the arrest.

"I don't think it's competent for the Secretary of State to order the arrest of anyone, unless it's a case of committing a crime in flagrante delicto. But in that case, there was a certain situation, unless I understand it better, of abuse of power and usurpation of competences," he said, quoted by STV.

However, he noted that even if there was a situation of contempt, it was possible to appeal to the competent authorities, such as the Public Prosecutor's Office.

But also, in Menete's view, rather than holding the individuals involved in the arrest responsible, the SE of Nampula owes a public apology to the Customs official arrested, if his involvement is confirmed.

For his part, the Ombudsman, Isaque Chande, believes that if the arrest really was ordered by the SE of Nampula, it is illegal.

Quoted by television channelHe said that the prosecution of criminal offenses is the responsibility of the institutions of justice, specifically the Public Prosecutor's Office (MP).

"What needs to happen is that the law is observed. I don't know what the legal consequences of that will be. But I believe that the Public Prosecutor's Office will take a position and take the most appropriate measure," he said, stressing that this does not necessarily imply the Secretary of State's resignation or imprisonment.