International Press Centre Denounces Arrest and Incarceration of Journalist for Alleged Criticism of Kano Governor and Emir on Social Media

The International Press Centre (IPC), operating from Lagos, Nigeria, has expressed deep concern through its Safety and Protection of Journalists (SPJ) hub over the imprisonment of Kano-based journalist Muktar Dahiru of Pyramid FM.

 

Muktar Dahiru, an employee of Radio Nigeria’s Pyramid FM Kano, was arrested by the police and placed in a correctional facility on Thursday. The charges against him stem from allegedly posting content on Facebook that was deemed offensive by the Kano state government.

Muktar Dahiru reportedly shared several broadcast audio interviews on Facebook featuring an opposition politician who made corruption allegations against the governor. These actions were deemed offensive by the state government, leading to his arrest and subsequent remand in a correctional facility.

He reportedly shared another video featuring the governor’s political adviser, Anas Abba-Dala. The video showcased a radio program in which Abba-Dala questioned the nationality of Nigerian Vice President Kashim Shettima, asserting that he might not be a Nigerian citizen.

IPC in a statement through its Safety and Protection of Journalists, SPJ hub, condemned the action. 

“Media reports reaching the SPJ-hub further states that, Muktar Dahiru has been remanded in prison for sharing media content deemed critical of state government officials, including Governor Abba Yusuf and the reinstated emir, Lamido Sanusi.

“Muktar Dahiru was secretly charged before Magistrate Court 24 at Gyadi Gyadi, Court Road, with criminal conspiracy, defamation of character, and intentional insult. The government said the alleged offences contravene sections 97, 391 and 115 of the Penal Code Law,” the statement read. 

The Executive Director IPC, Mr. Lanre Arogundade also described “this action is highly condemnable as it constitutes a despicable abuse of power.” 

Arogundade further stated that the journalist ought to have been granted bail in the first instance. 

“As it is, it seems he’s being punished without proper trial”, he added. 

Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *