Magistrates’ Court Remands Journalist, Zuhair Ali Ibrahim In Katsina

Zuhair Ali Ibrahim.

Magistrates’ Court II in Katsina has directed that the Leadership Online Newspaper editor, Zuhair Ali Ibrahim, be kept in custody after police requested his remand while investigations continue into a petition submitted by the Councillor of Doro Ward, Bindawa Local Government, Abubakar Nuhu.

The petition arose from a report released by Leadership Hausa Online on 7 September, in which one Alhaji Ibrahim Sa’adu accused the councillor of defrauding him of ₦30 million.

According to the publication, Alhaji Sa’adu alleged that he had been a benefactor of the councillor, whom he trusted and supported, but Nuhu allegedly betrayed that trust by swindling him of the money.

The editor, Zuhair, was said to have attempted to obtain the councillor’s response before the story went to press, but was unsuccessful. The article was eventually published, containing the allegations against Nuhu.

After the publication, the councillor lodged a petition with the police, which resulted in Zuhair’s arrest in Zaria last Monday. During questioning, the journalist described how he obtained the story and outlined his efforts to secure the councillor’s version of events.

Sources disclosed that several influential individuals tried to intervene, including Alhaji Shafi’i Duwan, a political adviser to Katsina State Governor Dikko Umaru Radda; a House of Representatives member representing Mani/Bindawa, Alhaji Yusuf Ibrahim Jargaba; and Malam Danjuma Katsina.

Although an agreement for reconciliation was initially reached, the councillor reportedly went back on his word and insisted on taking the matter further. Observers suggest that he is seeking to intimidate the journalist and suppress unfavourable reporting about him.