Media Rights Agenda
Enough is Enough (EIE) Nigeria, a network of individuals and organizations campaigning for good governance in Nigeria, partnered with Media Rights Agenda (MRA) and Spaces4Change to publish on September 17, 2020, an infographic highlighting attacks on freedom of expression and journalists by Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, over the last five years.
Titled “El-Rufai and Freedom of Speech/Expression”, the infographic noted that although governments have powers to prosecute citizens for any offence with clear evidence, it should be done in accordance with constitutional requirements and not with IMPUNITY.
It reported that “Several journalists and active citizens have been indiscriminately arrested and detained by the Kaduna State government”
The infographic contained details of some of such instances with pictures of some of the victims, including Mr. Luka Binniyat, a journalist with Vanguard newspaper, who was arrested for alleged injurious falsehood and incitement on February 6, 2017 and released on October 12, 2017; Mr. AdamuAbudullahi, a social media activist, arrested for alleged incitement and defamation of character; Mr. AuduMaikori, a music entrepreneur, allegedly arrested for inciting the public on February 17, 2017 and released on March 13, 2017; MallamYabo, an Islamic scholar, allegedly arrested for disparaging remarks against the Kaduna State Governor, Mallam El-Rufai on May 22, 2020 and released on May 24, 2020; Mr. Barak Zebede, a PhD. student, arrested for alleged inciting comments on a WhatsApp group on May 8, 2017; Mr. Midat Joseph, a journalist with Leadership newspaper, allegedly arrested for injurious falsehood on April 19, 2017 and released on April 21, 2017; Mr. John Dan-Fulani, a lecturer of Kaduna State University, arrested for alleged incitement and hate speech on January 28, 2016, re-arrested on October 26, 2016 and released on November 7, 2016; Mr. SegunOnibiyo, a broadcaster with Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), allegedly arrested for incitement, defamation of character and injurious falsehood on November 23, 2018 and released on December 18, 2018; Mr. Jacob Dickson, a reporter with Authentic news daily, arrested for alleged public incitement on April 29, 2016 and released on May 5, 2016; Mr. Steven Kefason, a Kaduna- based journalist, allegedly arrested for defamation, inciting disturbance and injurious falsehood on May 21, 2019 and released on October 18, 2019.
The infographic was published in newspapers and on social media.
