Two Nigerian lawyers, Ahmed Musa and Ridwan Yunusa, have denied involvement in a petition seeking to prosecute journalists Jaafar Jaafar and Umar Audu over a corruption report. The report, published by DAILY NIGERIAN, alleged that Abdullahi Rogo, the Director General of Protocol at the Kano State Government House, was implicated in a N6.5 billion corruption scandal by the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The petition, filed by Hamza Dantani, a lawyer for Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, claimed that the report was defamatory and sought to prosecute the journalists. However, Musa and Yunusa, whose names were listed as counsel for the petitioner, have distanced themselves from the petition. In a statement, Yunusa said he did not authorize the use of his name and has never been part of the law firm that signed the petition. Musa also denied any involvement, stating that his name was included without his consent.
The report in question alleged that Rogo was involved in looting N6.5 billion from the Kano State Government Federation Allocation Accounts, which were then transferred to accounts of Bureau De Change operators in Abuja. The ICPC and EFCC allegedly indicted Rogo for the scandal. The Kano State Government has not commented on the allegations.
The attempted prosecution of the journalists has raised concerns about press freedom in Nigeria. The use of defamation laws to silence journalists and stifle investigative reporting is a common tactic in Nigeria, where corruption is a significant problem. The case highlights the challenges faced by journalists in Nigeria, who often face harassment and intimidation when reporting on sensitive topics.
The denial by Musa and Yunusa of their involvement in the petition has added a new twist to the case, raising questions about the authenticity of the petition and the motives of those behind it. As the case unfolds, it is likely to have significant implications for press freedom and the fight against corruption in Nigeria.
