Journalists and media rights advocates have condemned the arrest of digital journalist Ibrahim Ishaq, popularly known as Danuwa Rano, describing it as an attack on press freedom and calling for his immediate release.
“We strongly condemn the actions of the police against Ibrahim Ishaq (Danuwa Rano) and demand his immediate and unconditional release. Should this demand not be met, we will take appropriate collective action,” said Zulyadaini Sidi Mustapha, Chairman/CEO of Magana Jari Media Consult Ltd.
Mustapha further stressed that the Constitution of Nigeria protects the activities engaged in by Danuwa, labeling the accusations against him as baseless. “The reasoning provided by the authorities reflects a blatant misunderstanding of the law and a shameful ignorance of the legal limits on police powers concerning media and online publications,” he added.
Jaafar Jaafar, publisher of Daily Nigerian, condemned the police’s claim that Danuwa operated his YouTube channel without National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) approval. “It is unfortunate that senior police officers do not know that NBC regulates terrestrial radio and TV stations, not news websites or YouTube channels,” he said.
Comrade Adnan Mukhtar Tudun Wada, a journalist with PR Nigeria, also called for Danuwa’s immediate release, saying: “Journalism is not a crime. I don’t see anything wrong in exposing corrupt public officials who are looting the treasury. #FreeDanuwaRanoNow.”
The journalist was arrested on Saturday in Kano metropolis by officers from Zone 1 Command without the presentation of an arrest warrant. The arrest followed a petition by Abdullahi Ibrahim Rogo, Director-General of Protocol to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, over alleged defamation.
Court and investigation documents reviewed by Daily Nigerian show that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have linked Mr. Rogo to the diversion of over ₦6.5 billion in public funds through companies such as H&M Nigeria Limited, A.Y. Maikifi Petroleum, and Ammas Oil and Gas Limited. Funds were allegedly laundered via fictitious contracts and converted to U.S. dollars through bureau de change operators.
The agencies said ₦1.1 billion has been recovered, while a Federal High Court in Kano ordered the forfeiture of ₦142.2 million linked to Mr. Rogo to the ICPC.
Danuwa, in a brief interview before his detention, said the police accused him of operating without an NBC license and running an unregistered media company in relation to his YouTube program, Imalu. Sources said the police plan to keep him in custody until Monday for arraignment before a magistrate court.
