The partners of the Enhancing Digital Rights in Nigeria (e-RIGHTS) Project has condemned the arrest and harassment of Mr. Buhari Abba, the Editor of Kano Times, a press organization in Kano State Nigeria, for the publication of an article critical of a Kano State government official.
The Country Director, Avocats Sans Frontières France, Angela Uwandu Uzoma-Iwuchukwu, said: “This blatant misuse of state power to suppress journalists in line of duty is a direct threat to press freedom and freedom of expression and information in Nigeria.”
Uzoma-Iwuchukwu added that a free and independent press is a cornerstone of every democracy, ensuring accountability, transparency, and the right of citizens to access information.
She further said: “Journalists should not be subjected to intimidation or state-sanctioned reprisals for fulfilling their professional duty. Sadly, the events unfolding in Kano State reflect a troubling pattern of using law enforcement agencies to silence dissenting or critical voices rather than engaging in constructive dialogue.
The arrest of Mr. Buhari Abba followed his publication of an article by another journalist critically examining the conduct of a public official.”
She stated that rather than addressing the concerns raised in the piece through legal and democratic means, the Commissioner resorted to coercion and abuse of power, setting a dangerous precedent that undermines constitutional guarantees of press freedom and freedom of expression in Nigeria.
Uzoma-Iwuchukwu stressed: “We urge the Executive Governor of Kano State, Abba Kabir Yusuf to demonstrate leadership by taking immediate steps to uphold democratic values and ensure that no government official deploys state institutions harass or intimidate the press.
“Specifically, we call for the immediate and unconditional release of Mr. Buhari Abba, an end to the intimidation and harassment of journalists in Kano State, and accountability for those responsible for this retrogressive and abusive action.
“History has shown that societies thrive when the press is free and the voices of the people are heard, not silenced. The continued repression of journalists and the press in Kano State and across Nigeria is unacceptable. It raises serious concerns about the government’s commitment to democratic governance. We must do everything possible to uphold the highest standards of press freedom in Nigeria.”
The Executive Director of the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), Dr. Y.Z Ya’u said: “Governor Yusuf must uphold democracy and protect press freedom, we urge him to act swiftly and decisively to prevent further damage to the democratic values he was elected to uphold.”
The Enhancing Digital Rights in Nigeria (e-RIGHTS) project is aimed at enhancing digital rights in Nigeria and is being implemented by Avocats Sans Frontières France in partnership with CITAD and S4C with support from the European Union and UNESCO’s Global Media Defense Fund.
