A journalist, Muktar Dahiru of Radio Nigeria, Pyramid FM Kano, who was detained for sharing content critical of Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf and reinstated Emir Lamido Sanusi, has been granted bail.
Dahiru, who was secretly charged at Magistrate Court 24 in Gyadi Gyadi on counts of criminal conspiracy, defamation, and intentional insult—violations of sections 97, 391, and 115 of the Penal Code Law—was granted bail on Tuesday by Magistrate Ummah Kurawa.
The bail was set at N1 million, with additional conditions that include securing three sureties: the chairperson of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Dahiru’s wife, and a reputable individual endorsed by the Kano Hisbah Board.
The court also restricted Dahiru from posting any content on social media that could be deemed offensive to state officials and adjourned the case until 2 October.
Dahiru’s charges stem from several social media posts, including a broadcast audio interview with an opposition politician accusing the governor of corruption and urging federal anti-corruption agencies to investigate the Novomed Pharmaceutical scandal, which involves a relative of former governor Rabiu Kwankwaso.
Other posts criticized the governor’s political adviser and the reinstated emir, leading to formal complaints from the governor’s political adviser, Anas Abba-Dala.
