- The journalist was first arrested on 29 August
Journalist Muktar Dahiru, accused of posting a Facebook message deemed “insulting” to Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf, has been rearrested and placed in custody.
Dahiru, who works with Pyramid FM in Kano, was sent to Kurmawa prison after failing to meet his bail conditions following an earlier release, his lawyer, Yusuf Isah, told The Cable on Thursday.
The journalist was first arrested on 29 August, facing charges of criminal conspiracy, defamation, and intentional insult. He allegedly shared audio clips of opposition politicians criticising the governor.
Dahiru was also accused of broadcasting a programme portraying the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi, as living in luxury while expressing concern for the poor.
Presiding Magistrate Ummah Kurawa had initially remanded Dahiru until a bail hearing on 3 September. The journalist was later granted bail of N1 million but restricted from sharing content deemed offensive to government officials.
He was also required to provide three sureties, including his wife, the chairperson of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), and a respected individual endorsed by the Kano Hisbah Board.