By Zailani Mustapha The Zaria Online Journalists Forum (ZOJF) has condemned in strong terms the arrest and continued detention of Zuhair Ali...
By Zailani Mustapha
The Zaria Online Journalists Forum (ZOJF) has condemned in strong terms the arrest and continued detention of Zuhair Ali Ibrahim, editor of Leadership Hausa Online, describing the development as a dangerous affront to press freedom and constitutional democracy in Nigeria.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Ammar Muhammad Rajab, and dated September 19, 2025, the forum said Ibrahim’s detention—ordered by a Katsina Magistrate Court following a petition by Councillor Abubakar Nuhu of Doro Ward in Bindawa Local Government Area—was an attempt to criminalise ethical journalism.
Mr. Ibrahim had published an investigative report on September 7, alleging that Councillor Nuhu had defrauded a businessman and political associate, Alhaji Ibrahim Sa’adu, of ₦30 million. According to the forum, the report was based on credible sources, and Ibrahim had fulfilled his journalistic obligations by reaching out to the councillor for a response before going to press.
“We find it deeply disturbing that Mr. Ibrahim sought the councillor's response before publication, which is standard journalistic procedure,” the statement read. “Efforts by respected political leaders and elders to resolve the matter amicably were deliberately sabotaged by the councillor himself.”
ZOJF expressed alarm that instead of pursuing civil remedies such as a public rebuttal or a libel suit, the councillor opted for criminal proceedings, leading to the journalist’s arrest and continued remand.
“Let it be clear: journalism is not a crime. The arrest of a journalist for reporting credible allegations from a known source is not only unjustifiable, it is a direct attack on the Nigerian Constitution, democracy, and the fight against corruption,” the group stated.
The forum urged Governor Dikko Umaru Radda to urgently intervene and facilitate the immediate release of the detained journalist. It also called on the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), civil society organisations, and media advocacy groups to defend press freedom and resist any efforts to muzzle critical reporting.
“This pattern of weaponising law enforcement to silence critical reporting is unacceptable and must stop. If we allow this to go unchallenged, it sets a dangerous precedent for every journalist reporting corruption and injustice in Nigeria,” ZOJF warned.
The group concluded by declaring its full solidarity with Ibrahim and demanded his unconditional release, affirming its commitment to uphold the principles of ethical journalism in the face of intimidation.
As at press time, the Katsina State Government has yet to respond to the growing public and institutional outcry surrounding the journalist’s detention.
No comments