Court Orders Remand Of Kano Journalist Over Alleged Insult To Governor Yusuf

Court Orders Remand Of Kano Journalist Over Alleged Insult To Governor Yusuf

A magistrate court in Kano has remanded Muktar Dahiru, a journalist with Pyramid FM Kano, following allegations that he insulted Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf in a Facebook post. Dahiru faces charges of criminal conspiracy, defamation of character, and intentional insult.

The charges stem from a Facebook post where Dahiru shared an audio interview featuring an opposition politician accusing Governor Yusuf of corruption. The politician had called for federal anti-corruption agencies to investigate a scandal involving Novomed Pharmaceuticals, rather than relying on the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCCAC).

This development comes amid the arrest of five individuals by the Kano anti-corruption agency in connection with an alleged multi-billion-naira drug procurement scam. Garba Kwankwaso, a nephew of former Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso and managing director of Novomed Pharmaceuticals, was among those arrested for violating public procurement laws.

Dahiru’s post also criticized the reinstated Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi, accusing him of living opulently while portraying himself as sympathetic to the poor. Dahiru was secretly arraigned before Magistrate Court 24 in Gyadi Gyadi, Kano, on Friday. Magistrate Ummah Kurawa ordered his remand in a correctional facility pending the hearing of his bail application on September 3.