‘Abuse of power’ — IPC demands release of journalist remanded for ‘insulting’ Abba Yusuf

The International Press Centre (IPC) has called for the release of Muktar Dahiru, a journalist who was remanded for allegedly publishing Facebook posts considered “insulting” to Abba Yusuf, governor of Kano.

Dahiru, who works with Pyramid FM Kano, a radio station managed by the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), was arrested on Thursday.

The journalist was said to have been secretly charged with criminal conspiracy, defamation of character, and intentional insult.

Ummah Kurawa, the presiding magistrate, remanded Dahiru in a correctional centre, pending the hearing of the bail application on September 3.

The journalist allegedly shared multiple audio interviews in which opposition politicians criticised the Kano governor.

He was also said to have published an audio programme in which one person accused Muhammadu Sanusi, the reinstated Emir of Kano, of portraying himself as sympathetic to the poor while living an expensive lifestyle.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Lanre Arogundade, IPC executive director, said the remand of Dahiru “constitutes a despicable abuse of power”.

Arogundade said the journalist ought to be granted bail at first instance, adding that he is being punished for doing his work.