10 Apr 12 | Index Index, minipost
A Nigerian magistrate ordered the arrest and detention of around 10 journalists on 4 April. A group of reporters who were covering the verdict from a coroner’s inquest were arrested after a woman, believed to be a prosecutor or a social worker, ordered journalists to leave the premises. The journalists attempted to explain why they were there to the woman, but arguments ensued. During the arguments, Magistrate Oshoniyi ordered the immediate arrests of the journalists. Following their arrest, the journalists were assaulted, beaten and harassed by police.
16 Nov 11 | Africa, Index Index, minipost
A journalist in Nigeria has been arrested and is facing a libel lawsuit over stories detailing alleged corruption in the Nigerian Football Federation.
Olajide Fashikun, editor of the National Accord newspaper, was arrested last Wednesday following a series of news articles, in which he claimed a letter from FIFA president Sepp Blatter to Aminu Maigari on his election as head of the Nigerian Football Federation, had a forged signature.
Following the arrest, the offices of National Accord newspaper were ransacked, and the journalist’s laptop and hard drive were seized.
13 Oct 11 | Index Index, minipost
Six journalists and one other staff have been arrested following raids on a newspaper office in Nigeria. Detectives stormed the Lagos-based premises of independent daily newspaper The Nation on Tuesday, arresting seven. The arrests are believed to be linked to the publication of a private letter on 4 October from former head of state Olusegun Obasanjo to President Goodluck Jonathan, suggesting Jonathan replace CEOs of several government agencies. Obasanjo accused the newspaper of publishing the letter with a forgery of his signature. The journalists are expected to appear in court tomorrow.
04 Feb 11 | Index Index, minipost
The governor of Jigarwa State has withdrawn a complaint against an individual who allegedly wrote defamatory remarks about him on Facebook. Sule Lamido withdrew his complaint against Mukhtari Ibrahim Aminu after a court discharged Aminu of any wrongdoing. Aminu spent one day in prison after the defamation charge was levelled against him.
