November 28, 2023: Kaduna In a vehement condemnation, the Coalition for Whistleblowers Protection and Press Freedom (CWPPF) has expressed deep concern over the unwarranted arrest, incarceration, and subsequent arraignment of Mr. Gabriel Idibia, the Head of Bureau Northern Operations at Daybreak Nigeria. The arrest, carried out by operation “Yaki” police in Kaduna on November 13th, follows Mr. Idibia’s investigative reporting on the deplorable conditions of the 2023 Kaduna Hajj camp.
Mr. Idibia, who faced two days of detention, was arraigned in court on November 15th under challenging bail conditions. The charges levied against him include Defamation of Character, Intimidation, and Incitement of Contempt of Religion, with court proceedings scheduled for today.
This incident is viewed as a grave violation of press freedom, with the clear intention of intimidating journalists in the lawful discharge of their duties. The Coalition underscores that journalism is a constitutional right, as stipulated in Section 22 of the 1999 Constitution, empowering journalists to hold the government accountable to the public.
The CWPPF firmly stands with Mr. Idibia, condemning the harassment and unlawful actions taken against him. Key details of Mr. Idibia’s case reveal his initial arrest on October 26, 2023, leading to subsequent release on bail, followed by a rearrest on November 9, 2023, resulting in two days of detention.
In a press release, Daybreak Nigeria emphasized the unconstitutional demands placed on Mr. Idibia, including pressure to disclose his sources and unusually stringent bail conditions. Dr. Austin Maho, Publisher of Daybreak Nigeria Newspaper and Member of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, strongly asserted, “The incarceration of Gabriel Idibia in the course of his job is a gross abuse of his rights, criminalization of journalism, and a violation of the public’s right to know.”
The Coalition implores the immediate intervention of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), civil society organizations, media rights groups, and all stakeholders to advocate on behalf of Mr. Idibia. The group further urges influential bodies to counsel those responsible for Mr. Idibia’s continuous harassment, emphasizing the imperative to cease such unwarranted aggression.
Expressing confidence in the judiciary, the Coalition for Whistleblowers Protection and Press Freedom seeks the promotion and protection of press freedom, guaranteeing the safety of journalists persecuted due to their role as watchdogs in a democracy.
In a signed statement, Busola Ajibola, Deputy Director, Journalism, CJID, reaffirmed the Coalition’s commitment to defending the rights of journalists and preserving democratic values.
