The League of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Kano State has expressed strong concern over the invitation extended to Mr. Jaafar Jaafar, Publisher of Daily Nigeria, by the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone One, Kano.
The demand was contained in a statement issued and Sunday by prominent activists and organizations, including Comrade Bala Abdullahi Gaduwama of Wuro Development Concerns, Yusha’u Sani Yankuzo of the Centre for Human Rights and Social Advancement, Mohammed Bello of the African Centre for Innovative Research and Development, and 19 others.
According to the statement, the invitation, issued at the directive of Chief Magistrate Court No. 15, Nomansland, Kano, follows a complaint of alleged criminal defamation filed by the Director-General of Protocol to the Kano State Governor, Mr. Abdullahi Rogo.
The CSO League, however, noted that the complaint is linked to Jaafar’s publications alleging the diversion of N6.5 billion from the Directorate of Protocol, a case already under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC).
In the joint statement, the League cautioned that while the police have a constitutional duty to investigate complaints, such investigations must not be used as tools for political suppression or intimidation of journalists.
“Journalists are the watchdogs of society and defenders of truth. Any attempt to muzzle the press through harassment or criminal charges undermines constitutional guarantees and weakens the credibility of our democratic institutions,” the statement read.
The League of CSOs cited Sections 22 and 39 of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantee press freedom and mandate the media to hold government accountable, warning that democracy “withers when journalists are silenced for performing their legitimate duties.”
They also decried the growing trend of using state institutions to settle political scores, stressing that such actions erode public trust in governance and embolden corruption.
The CSOs League urged the Nigeria Police Force, especially Zone One Headquarters in Kano, to handle the matter with impartiality and resist political pressure.
They also called on the judiciary to avoid granting orders that could be exploited to silence critical voices. Reaffirming solidarity with investigative journalists, the League said: “The fight against corruption is a collective responsibility, and journalists should be commended, not persecuted, for their contributions.”
The statement was endorsed by:
- Comrade Bala Abdullahi Gaduwama – Wuro Development Concerns (WDCN)
- Yusha’u Sani Yankuzo, Esq. – Centre for Human Rights and Social Advancement (CEFSAN)
- Mohammed Bello – African Centre for Innovative Research and Development (Afri-CIRD)
- Abdulkadir Musa Hausawa – Youth Enlightenment Forum
- Adeniyi Aremu – Civil Society Organization for Conflict Resolution in Nigeria (CS-CRIN)
- Comrade Fatima A. Ibrahim – United Action for Democracy (UAD), Kano State
- Umar Ibrahim Umar – War Against Injustice (WAI)
- Abba Bello Ahmed – Campaign for Democracy (CD), Kano State
- Comrade Idris Ibrahim Unguwar Gini – Kano Youth Promotion Council
- Comrade Moh’d Sani Garba – Pay it Forward Initiative
- Fatima Muhammad – Gender Inclusive and Development Support Initiative, Kano
- Aminu Sani Muhammad, Esq. – Rule of Law and Justice Advancement Network (ROLJAN)
- Comrade M. K. Adam – Societal Based Initiative for Rights Peace and Development (SOBIRPED)
- Buhari Abubakar Usman – Centre for Legal Orientation and Humanitarian Aid (CELOHA)
- Abdullahi Yahaya, Esq. – Publish What You Pay (PWYP), Kano State
- Hafiz A. Wali, Esq. – Rise Up Youth Initiative (RUYI)
- Comrade Auwal Salisu – Centre for Awareness Reorientation and Empowerment (CARE-Africa)
- Umar Isa Sulaiman, Esq. – Frontier for Gender Advocacy, Accountability & Empowerment Initiative
- Maryam Garba Usman – Centre for Gender and Social Inclusion (CAGSI)
- Fatima Chabir Aliyu, Esq. – Community Based Equal Justice Initiative
- Kano Youth Integrity Forum – Comrade Salisu Ibrahim Sa’eed
- Centre for Education Health and Entrepreneurship Development (CEHED) Nigeria – Comrade Baraya Garba Hassan
