By Shakirudeen Bankole
The Federal Government has filed charges against two journalists of The Informant247 Online Newspaper at the Federal High Court in Ilorin, the capital city of Kwara State.
The journalists, Editor-in-Chief, Salihu Ayatullahi, and Managing Director, Adisa-Jaji Azeez, are being sued in connection with an investigative story published by the news outlet, which thet claimed was written to expose corruption at the Kwara State Polytechnic in Ilorin.
The court summon was served by Ayoola Idowu Akande, Director of Public Prosecution, and Cyril N. Kolo Esq, State Counsel 1, both of the Ministry of Justice, Kwara State.
The Investigative report, titled; “JUST A PAINT JOB: INSIDE KWARA POLYTECHNIC’S SHODDY PROJECT COMMISSIONING (PART 1)”, was published, with intent to expose how the school management had allegedly exploited the vulnerability of its procurement procedures, to swindle the school of millions of naira.
The Reactor of the Polytechnic, Engr. (Dr.) Abdul Jimoh Mohammed, strongly objected to the publication, which he said was false and damaging to the institution and headed to court following the publisher’s insistence on the veracity of their report.
According to the charge sheet, marked FHC/IL/14IC/2024, the government is pressing two counts against the journalists ,with reference to sections 24 and 27 of the Cybercrime Act.
The first count alleges: “That you, Adisa Jaji Azeez and Salihu Ayatullahi, on or about November 2023 at Ilorin, Kwara State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, conspired to commit an illegal act, to wit; publishing, uploading, broadcasting, sharing, commenting, remaking, and sending offensive messages titled ‘JUST A PAINT JOB: INSIDE KWARA POLYTECHNIC’S SHODDY PROJECT COMMISSIONING (PART 1)’ and other offensive messages through the online platform ‘Informant247,’ which you knew or ought to have known to be false, intending to annoy, insult, and cause hatred against the Institution of Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, and its Rector, Engr. Abdul Jimoh Muhammed, punishable under Section 27 of the Cybercrimes Act, 2015.”
The second count alleges: “That you, Adisa Jaji Azeez and Salihu Ayatullahi, on or about November 2023 at Ilorin, Kwara State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, committed an illegal act, to wit; publishing, uploading, broadcasting, sharing, commenting, remaking, and sending offensive messages titled ‘JUST A PAINT JOB: INSIDE KWARA POLYTECHNIC’S SHODDY PROJECT COMMISSIONING (PART 1)’ and other offensive messages through the online platform ‘Informant247,’ which you knew or ought to have known to be false, intending to annoy, insult, and cause hatred against the Institution of Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, and its Rector, Engr. Abdul Jimoh Muhammed, punishable under Section 24 of the Cybercrimes Act, 2015.”
Adisa told our reporter that he was reliably informed that the prosecution has lined up seven witnesses, including staff from the institution, against the defendants.
“It is very unfortunate that a professional journalist whose interest is purely to advance the course of social justice and public accountability can be subjected to this act of oppression.
“Sadly, legal intimidation to issues that are backed with incontrovertible evidences amount to Media Suppression. And that is what I and my colleague are being subjected to now. And the entire colleagues in the Pen profession should rise up and speak in defense of justice.
“We have our facts right. And we stand by our report. Hence, we can not be intimidated, no matter, what,” he added.
Earlier in February, the Police in Kwara State had charged the two journalists with conspiracy under Section 27(1)(b), cyberstalking under Section 24(1)(b) of Nigeria’s Cybercrimes Act, and defamation under Section 393 of the Penal Code. The charges were subsequently amended to criminal conspiracy and defamation.
