Kano Journalist Detained After Embattled Governor’s Aide Petitions Police Over Alleged Defamation

A Kano-based journalist, Ibrahim Dan’uwa Rano, has been detained by the police at the Zonal Police Headquarters in Kano following a petition by Abdullahi Rogo, the embattled Director-General of Protocol to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.

Mr Rogo, who is currently under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over an alleged ₦6.5 billion scandal, accused the journalist of defamation of character.

Daily Nigeria reports that police officers stormed Mr Rano’s office in Kano and whisked him away without presenting an arrest warrant. 

He was taken directly to the zonal police command for interrogation.

It was gathered that the journalist was questioned for allegedly defaming Mr Rogo and for operating an online television station without a National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) licence. 

However, Mr Rano reportedly clarified that online media platforms are not required by law to obtain an NBC licence.

Despite this clarification, the journalist was detained in a cell, allegedly on the orders of the embattled DG.

The controversy stems from an episode of Mr Rano’s programme, “Imalu”, in which he hinted that “a certain DG protocol” was collecting bribes to grant visitors an audience with his principal. 

Although no names were mentioned, the police insisted that the journalist must “produce Imalu,” the fictional character in the programme, before he could be released.

As of the time of filing this report, the Kano Zonal Police Command has not issued an official statement regarding the journalist’s arrest or detention.