Court Sentences Journalists to Jail Over Report, CPJ, CISLAC Faults Verdict

• Committee to Protect Journalists has condemned the conviction of two journalists, Gidado Yushau and Alfred Olufemi
• The two Nigerian journalists were sentenced in Kwara State on conspiracy and defamation charges
• A Magistrate’s Court sitting in the state had on February 7 convicted the duo over a false publication about an agro-allied company based in the state

In a move that will encourage many Nigeria media worlkers, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) have faulted the conviction of Nigerian journalists, Gidado Yushau and Alfred Olufemi, over a report on drug abuse.

Gidado, Editor of News Digest and Convener of Campus Journalism Awards (CJA), and Alfred, a freelance reporter who worked with Premium Times and Punch Newspaper, were arrested and charged in 2019, Sahara Reporters reports.

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The prosecution followed an investigative report published in 2018, alleging Indian-hemp smoking by staff at Hillcrest Agro-allied company, a rice factory in Kwara state.

In February, a Magistrate in Ilorin, Adams Salihu Mohammed ordered the journalists to be jailed for five months or pay N100,000 each for defamation and conspiracy, which they paid.

But their counsel, Barrister Ahmed Ibraheem Gambari said there was evidence before the court that the police report which purportedly indicted the duo came into existence even before they were invited.

In its reaction, the CPJ described the conviction as “a chilling message to the Nigerian press and highlights the urgent need for authorities to reform the country’s laws and ensure journalism is not criminalized".

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Africa program coordinator in New York, Angela Quintal noted that the duo should never have been charged, let alone convicted for publishing an investigative report about a factory.

Reacting, CISLAC Executive Director and Head of Transparency International Nigeria, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani described the conviction as an inglorious attempt to muzzle the press and investigative journalism.

Osinbajo to be honoured by top Nigerian journalists, writers

Meanwhile, efforts to honour Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has commenced in earnest as collection of journalists, writers have concluded plans to launch a book on on him.

In a press statement made available to Legit.ng, 25 prominent journalists and writers from across the country came together to write a book on the VP.

The book titled "OSINBAJO STRIDES: Defining Moments of An Innovative Leader," is scheduled to be launched virtually on April 28.

Source: Legit.ng