MrJa’farJa’far, an investigative journalist and a publisher of Daily Nigeria published a video clips last year which allegedly showed Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State receiving bribes. The video clipssparked outcry by members of the public in Nigeria and citizens took to social media to call on the appropriate agencies in investigating the allegations.
Ja’far appeared before the Kano House of Assembly over the bribery allegations against Governor Gadunje. His appearance before the investigative committee was to enable him provide more details about the video as the lawmakers sought to unravel the truth behind the video which went viral.
When Ja’far was quizzed on how he got the video by the lawmakers of the Kano State House of Assembly, he told the lawmakers he obtained the clip from a whistleblower two years ago and decided to use it after he became certain it was authentic. Subsequently, there has been threats to his life and family.
In Ja’fars words: “It is very difficult to practice investigative Journalism in Nigeria. Despite the enabling laws you can’t request for some information and the agencies will start either refusing to respond to you with immediacy or refuse to even respond at all.” WSCIJ condemns reports of threats being made to Jafar’s life and reiterates that no Journalist should be persecuted for doing his job and putting in efforts to reveal corruption. Threats against Ja’far and his family must be stopped by appropriate authorities.
