The International Press Centre (IPC) has strongly condemned the arrest and detention of Muktar Dahiru, a journalist with Pyramid FM Kano, who was remanded in prison on Thursday for allegedly sharing critical content about Kano’s governor and emir on Facebook.
Dahiru, an employee of Radio Nigeria’s Pyramid FM, was taken into police custody and subsequently remanded in a correctional facility. His arrest follows allegations that he shared content deemed offensive by the Kano State government, including a broadcast interview and video posts that criticised state officials.
According to reports, Dahiru shared an audio interview with an opposition politician who accused Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf of corruption. The interview also challenged the governor to permit federal anti-corruption agencies to investigate the Novomed scandal instead of relying on the state anti-corruption agency. Novomed Pharmaceutical, involved in the scandal, is owned by Musa Kwankwakso, the younger brother of former governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
In another instance, Dahiru shared a video from a radio program by Anas Abba-Dala, the governor’s political adviser, which speculated on the nationality of Nigerian Vice President Kashim Shettima, suggesting he might not be Nigerian.
The IPC, through its Safety and Protection of Journalists (SPJ) hub, issued a statement condemning Dahiru’s detention. The IPC criticised the state government’s actions, describing them as a “despicable abuse of power.” The statement highlighted that Dahiru was secretly charged before Magistrate Court 24 at Gyadi Gyadi, Court Road, on counts including criminal conspiracy, defamation of character, and intentional insult.
“Media reports reaching the SPJ-hub further state 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,” the IPC statement read.
Lanre Arogundade, Executive Director of IPC, expressed outrage at the situation, emphasizing that Dahiru should have been granted bail initially. “This action is highly condemnable as it constitutes a despicable abuse of power,” Arogundade said. “As it stands, it seems he is being punished without a proper trial.”
Muktar Dahiru’s arrest reflects growing concerns about press freedom and government accountability in Nigeria. Journalists and media practitioners in the country often face significant challenges, including legal threats and physical intimidation, when reporting on sensitive political issues.
