Human rights group HURIWA criticizes the Kano government for detaining a journalist, calling the action a violation of press freedom.
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), a leading civil society organization, has criticized the Kano state government for unlawfully apprehending and detaining journalist Muktar Dahiru of Radio Nigeria’s Pyramid FM in Kano.
According to the group, Dahiru was sent to jail on suspicion of distributing media material that is deemed as dissenting towards Kano State government figures such as Governor Abba Yusuf and Lamido Sanusi.
On Sunday, HURIWA’s national coordinator Emmanuel Onwubiko issued a statement condemning the Kano state government for their unconstitutional and arbitrary actions towards a journalist. The statement emphasized that as a media practitioner and conscience of the nation, it was entirely within his constitutional mandate to share verifiable information.
The rejection of the self-help actions by Kano State officials responsible for the journalist’s suffering was based on sections 22 and 39 of the constitution as cited by HURIWA.
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According to a media report cited by HURIWA, Mr. Dahiru – the journalist in question – was taken into police custody on Thursday due to claims that he shared content via Facebook which has been deemed offensive by the state government; as such, he is presently detained within a correctional facility.
As a reminder, Dahiru had previously shared multiple posts where he uploaded a broadcast audio interview with an opposition politician who made allegations of corruption against Governor Yusuf.
During the audio recording, the politician in opposition challenged the governor to grant federal anti-corruption agencies unrestricted access to investigate Novomed scandal rather than involving state anti-corruption agency.
An investigation is underway into the contract between Novomed Pharmaceutical and the state government, as it has been revealed that Musa Kwankwakso, younger brother of former governor Rabiu Kwankwakso, owns the company.
Dahiru posted another video in which he shared a radio program by Anas Abba-Dala, the political adviser to the governor. During this show, Abba-Dala hypothesized that Kashim Shettima – Nigeria’s Vice President – may not actually be Nigerian.
HURIWA noted that Abba-Dala, the governor’s political advisor, filed a complaint with the police against Dahiru after he was referred to as an illiterate in a Facebook post and accused of impregnating a woman outside of wedlock – an act seen as tarnishing his image.
The statement reported that “Ummah Kurawa, the magistrate, directed for Dahiru’s detention in a correctional facility until 3 September when his bail application hearing will take place.”
HURIWA criticized the government for behaving in a way that blatantly disregarded constitutionally protected fundamental freedoms such as freedom of information and right to free movement.
The rights group questioned how a state government led by the NNPP, a minority political party that opposes the APC, could exhibit an equal level of power abuse as seen in the ruling national party.
The rights organization is calling on the governor of Kano state to promptly release the radio journalist who has been unfairly detained and display openness towards receiving critiques.
Furthermore, HURIWA asserted that in accordance with Section 22 of the Constitution of Nigeria, it is mandated that “the press, radio, television and other agencies of mass media” must always have freedom to support the fundamental objectives outlined in this Chapter as well as uphold government responsibility and accountability to its citizens.
