Irked by the remanding in prison for the second time of a
Kaduna based journalist, Mr. Luka Binniyat, the National Headquarters of the
Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, has issued a stern warning to governor Nasir
El-Rufai-Rufai to desist from harassing journalists in the state.
In a statement signed by its National Secretary, Shuaibu
Usman Leman, Walin Shadalafiya, NUJ said that the governor was harsh with the
media because he cannot tolerate criticism.
“The government of Kaduna State in its further drive to cage
the media and muffle freedom of expression, had this week arraigned a Kaduna
based Journalist, Luka Binniyat before a Kaduna State High Court charged with
injurious falsehood and incitement.
”He was earlier charged to a Magistrate Court for the same
allegations, remanded in prison custody before being granted bail.
“The High Court had equally remanded Luka Binniyat in Prison
custody pending the hearing of his bail application next week.
“It will be recalled that Kaduna State government had issued
a stern warning to Journalists on the 28th of January this year, threatening of
dire consequences if they file any story considered false by the State
Governor,” it said.
NUJ pointed out that recently, some other journalists were
taken to court by governor Nasiru El Rufai, prominent among them were Midat
Joseph of Leadership Newspapers who was detained and charged to court for
alleged injurious falsehood.
“Others being hounded are Dickson Onjewu of New Nigerian
Newspapers and Gabriel Idibia of Union Newspapers.
“EL Rufai’s numerous actions are clearly aimed at his
perceived political opponents which ridiculously include the media. As a result
of his intolerance for criticisms and aversion for the media, many Journalists
in the State are now being persecuted by the government.
“We are terrified by the remanding of Binniyat in prison
custody because of his health challenges. He had an accident and came to court
on crutches to answer the summons but instead of being in hospital, he is now
behind bars.
“The NUJ will hold governor Nasiru El-Rufai fully
responsible if anything mysterious happens to Binniyat in prison.
“This development calls for concern, because the government
of El-Rufai rode to power on the formidable use of the media and therefore it
cannot now turn around to want to instruct journalists on how to do their jobs.
Certainly, the Governor cannot make untoward rules for journalists outside
their extant code of practice. Journalists should not be used as scapegoats to
cover up for his numerous gaffes.
“We advise the governor to desist from having journalists
arrested, detained and taken to court for writing stories and reports on the
crisis in Southern Kaduna which he feels do not reflect the thinking of the
State government.
“The problems of Southern Kaduna can never be resolved
through threats and intimidation by the Kaduna State government on journalists.
Rather, we suggest that he should appeal to the media to help mobilise citizens
to appreciate the benefits of peace and peaceful coexistence,” it lamented.
By Amos Tauna
